Allan Wicks
Encyclopedia
Allan Wicks CBE
(born 6 June 1923, Harden, West Yorkshire
, died 4 February 2010) was an English cathedral organist, who served in Canterbury Cathedral
for nearly 30 years. He was an early champion of the music of Olivier Messiaen
and Peter Maxwell Davies
. He also directed the specially-commissioned music for the 1951 revival of the York Mystery Plays
, regarded as the greatest event in the Festival of Britain
celebrations.
. He studied at Christ Church, Oxford
, where he was also organ scholar at the cathedral
, assistant to Thomas Armstrong. Completing his studies after serving in the 14th Punjab Regiment
, gaining an MA and an FRCO
, he then took up post at York Minster
in 1947, as sub-organist to Francis Jackson. He described his time at York as much being easier than modern cathedral organists: "In those days it was easier to manage on one's own, because we never used to conduct, except a cappella pieces, we never conducted like cathedral organists now who hardly ever play the organ, they're down there wagging a finger, waving their arms about." Whilst based in York, he was on the music staff at St Peter's School
and Chorus Master of Leeds Philharmonic Society
. For the 1951 revival of the York Mystery Plays
he was director of the music, composed by his friend James Brown
. The plays captured the hearts of the British public, and have been performed regularly ever since.
In 1954, Wicks left York to take the job of organist and choirmaster of Manchester Cathedral
. There he inspired Maxwell Davies by his directing the choir in performances of John IV of Portugal
and John Dunstaple. Wicks also championed Maxwell Davies’s Fantasia on O Magnum Mysterium, as well as Malcolm Williamson
’s six-movement Symphony. He also organised a Cantata Choir and a small orchestra for Tuesday evening concerts of larger-scale works, including Igor Stravinsky
's Canticum Sacrum and Messiaen's Messe de la Pentecôte.
In 1961 he was appointed organist and master of the choristers of Canterbury Cathedral
, where he served for 27 years, under three Archbishops
, retiring after being appointed C.B.E.
in 1988. Whilst at Canterbury, he also was honoured with the Lambeth MusDoc
in 1974 and an honorary DMus from the University of Kent
in 1985.
Wicks died in 2010, and was survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and their two daughters.
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
(born 6 June 1923, Harden, West Yorkshire
Harden, West Yorkshire
Harden is a civil parish and village within the City of Bradford Metropolitan District, West Yorkshire, England, west of Bingley. It has a population of 1,615.-Facilities:...
, died 4 February 2010) was an English cathedral organist, who served in Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
for nearly 30 years. He was an early champion of the music of Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen
Olivier Messiaen was a French composer, organist and ornithologist, one of the major composers of the 20th century. His music is rhythmically complex ; harmonically and melodically it is based on modes of limited transposition, which he abstracted from his early compositions and improvisations...
and Peter Maxwell Davies
Peter Maxwell Davies
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, CBE is an English composer and conductor and is currently Master of the Queen's Music.-Biography:...
. He also directed the specially-commissioned music for the 1951 revival of the York Mystery Plays
York Mystery Plays
The York Mystery Plays, more properly called the York Corpus Christi Plays, are a Middle English cycle of forty-eight mystery plays, or pageants, which cover sacred history from the creation to the Last Judgement. These were traditionally presented on the feast day of Corpus Christi...
, regarded as the greatest event in the Festival of Britain
Festival of Britain
The Festival of Britain was a national exhibition in Britain in the summer of 1951. It was organised by the government to give Britons a feeling of recovery in the aftermath of war and to promote good quality design in the rebuilding of British towns and cities. The Festival's centrepiece was in...
celebrations.
Career
The son of a parson, Wicks began his musical studies as a pianist at an early age, but did not think that he would be good enough to become professional. At the age of 14 he was advised to convert to the organPipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
. He studied at Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
, where he was also organ scholar at the cathedral
Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford
Christ Church Cathedral is the cathedral of the diocese of Oxford, which consists of the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. It is also, uniquely, the chapel of Christ Church, a college of the University of Oxford.-History:...
, assistant to Thomas Armstrong. Completing his studies after serving in the 14th Punjab Regiment
14th Punjab Regiment
The 14th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....
, gaining an MA and an FRCO
Royal College of Organists
The Royal College of Organists or RCO, is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, but with members around the world...
, he then took up post at York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
in 1947, as sub-organist to Francis Jackson. He described his time at York as much being easier than modern cathedral organists: "In those days it was easier to manage on one's own, because we never used to conduct, except a cappella pieces, we never conducted like cathedral organists now who hardly ever play the organ, they're down there wagging a finger, waving their arms about." Whilst based in York, he was on the music staff at St Peter's School
St Peter's School, York
St Peter's School is a co-educational independent boarding and day school located in the English City of York, with extensive grounds on the banks of the River Ouse...
and Chorus Master of Leeds Philharmonic Society
Leeds Philharmonic Society
Leeds Philharmonic Chorus is a leading choir in Europe, regularly performing to professional standards with internationally renowned soloists, orchestras and conductors....
. For the 1951 revival of the York Mystery Plays
York Mystery Plays
The York Mystery Plays, more properly called the York Corpus Christi Plays, are a Middle English cycle of forty-eight mystery plays, or pageants, which cover sacred history from the creation to the Last Judgement. These were traditionally presented on the feast day of Corpus Christi...
he was director of the music, composed by his friend James Brown
James Clifford Brown
-Life:James Clifford Brown, usually referred to as James Brown, was born in Ipswich on 18th August 1923. He was trained in singing and organ-playing by Jonathan Job, the Ipswich Borough Organist, then himself became organist and choirmaster at All Hallows' Church....
. The plays captured the hearts of the British public, and have been performed regularly ever since.
In 1954, Wicks left York to take the job of organist and choirmaster of Manchester Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral is a medieval church on Victoria Street in central Manchester and is the seat of the Bishop of Manchester. The cathedral's official name is The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George in Manchester...
. There he inspired Maxwell Davies by his directing the choir in performances of John IV of Portugal
John IV of Portugal
|-|John IV was the King of Portugal and the Algarves from 1640 to his death. He was the grandson of Catherine, Duchess of Braganza, who had in 1580 claimed the Portuguese crown and sparked the struggle for the throne of Portugal. John was nicknamed John the Restorer...
and John Dunstaple. Wicks also championed Maxwell Davies’s Fantasia on O Magnum Mysterium, as well as Malcolm Williamson
Malcolm Williamson
Malcolm Benjamin Graham Christopher Williamson AO , CBE was an Australian composer. He was the Master of the Queen's Music from 1975 until his death.-Biography:...
’s six-movement Symphony. He also organised a Cantata Choir and a small orchestra for Tuesday evening concerts of larger-scale works, including Igor Stravinsky
Igor Stravinsky
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky ; 6 April 1971) was a Russian, later naturalized French, and then naturalized American composer, pianist, and conductor....
's Canticum Sacrum and Messiaen's Messe de la Pentecôte.
In 1961 he was appointed organist and master of the choristers of Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral
Canterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
, where he served for 27 years, under three Archbishops
Archbishop of Canterbury
The Archbishop of Canterbury is the senior bishop and principal leader of the Church of England, the symbolic head of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and the diocesan bishop of the Diocese of Canterbury. In his role as head of the Anglican Communion, the archbishop leads the third largest group...
, retiring after being appointed C.B.E.
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
in 1988. Whilst at Canterbury, he also was honoured with the Lambeth MusDoc
Lambeth degree
A Lambeth degree is an academic degree conferred by the Archbishop of Canterbury under the authority of the Ecclesiastical Licences Act 1533 as successor of the papal legate in England...
in 1974 and an honorary DMus from the University of Kent
University of Kent
The University of Kent, previously the University of Kent at Canterbury, is a public research university based in Kent, United Kingdom...
in 1985.
Wicks died in 2010, and was survived by his wife, Elizabeth, and their two daughters.
Organist posts
- 1941 - 1946 Organ Scholar, Christ Church Cathedral, OxfordChrist Church Cathedral, OxfordChrist Church Cathedral is the cathedral of the diocese of Oxford, which consists of the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. It is also, uniquely, the chapel of Christ Church, a college of the University of Oxford.-History:...
(interrupted by wartime service in the 14th Punjab Regiment14th Punjab RegimentThe 14th Punjab Regiment was a regiment of the British Indian Army from 1922 to 1947. It was transferred to the Pakistan Army on Partition of India in 1947, and amalgamated with the 1st, 15th and 16th Punjab Regiments in 1956, to form the Punjab Regiment....
) - 1947 - 1954 Sub Organist, York MinsterYork MinsterYork Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
- 1954 - 1961 Organist at Manchester CathedralManchester CathedralManchester Cathedral is a medieval church on Victoria Street in central Manchester and is the seat of the Bishop of Manchester. The cathedral's official name is The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George in Manchester...
. - 1961 - 1988 Organist at Canterbury CathedralCanterbury CathedralCanterbury Cathedral in Canterbury, Kent, is one of the oldest and most famous Christian structures in England and forms part of a World Heritage Site....
.