John Farmer (1835-1901)
Encyclopedia
John Farmer from Nottingham
, composed oratorios, cantatas, and other church music, and chamber music.
His father, also John (1812–1894), was a Nottingham lacemaker and a cellist. The youngest of a large family, John Farmer was recognised as a child prodigy, and was taught by his uncle Henry Farmer (1819–1891), who was also a composer, violinist and the owner of a music warehouse in Nottingham. After teaching abroad for some years John became music master at Harrow
in 1862 as a result of being noticed while giving piano demonstrations at the London International Exhibition
of that year. At Harrow he composed school songs, one of his best known being “Forty Years On
”, which he wrote in 1872 (Edward Ernest Bowen wrote the lyrics). He also composed cricketing ditties like "Willow the King," one of the most famous of all cricketing songs.
A work of his called "Cinderella" was performed at Harrow in 1883. When he left Harrow he became Organist of Balliol College, Oxford
, and founded the Balliol Concerts. While at Balliol he composed Warwick School
's first school song, Here's a Song For All, in 1892. He championed the music of Bach
, and his own oratorio "Christ and His Soldiers" was popular with smaller choirs. Most of Farmer's stage works were intended for amateurs, often youngsters. John Farmer was buried at St Sepulchre's Cemetery
, Oxford.
Nottingham
Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...
, composed oratorios, cantatas, and other church music, and chamber music.
His father, also John (1812–1894), was a Nottingham lacemaker and a cellist. The youngest of a large family, John Farmer was recognised as a child prodigy, and was taught by his uncle Henry Farmer (1819–1891), who was also a composer, violinist and the owner of a music warehouse in Nottingham. After teaching abroad for some years John became music master at Harrow
Harrow School
Harrow School, commonly known simply as "Harrow", is an English independent school for boys situated in the town of Harrow, in north-west London.. The school is of worldwide renown. There is some evidence that there has been a school on the site since 1243 but the Harrow School we know today was...
in 1862 as a result of being noticed while giving piano demonstrations at the London International Exhibition
1862 International Exhibition
The International of 1862, or Great London Exposition, was a world's fair. It was held from 1 May to 1 November 1862, beside the gardens of the Royal Horticultural Society, South Kensington, London, England, on a site that now houses museums including the Natural History Museum and the Science...
of that year. At Harrow he composed school songs, one of his best known being “Forty Years On
Forty Years On (song)
Forty Years On is a song written by Edward Ernest Bowen and John Farmer in 1872.It is specifically about life at school and is meant to give pupils now an idea of what it will be like in forty years when they return to their old school, and to remind old boys about their school life...
”, which he wrote in 1872 (Edward Ernest Bowen wrote the lyrics). He also composed cricketing ditties like "Willow the King," one of the most famous of all cricketing songs.
A work of his called "Cinderella" was performed at Harrow in 1883. When he left Harrow he became Organist of Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College, Oxford
Balliol College , founded in 1263, is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England but founded by a family with strong Scottish connections....
, and founded the Balliol Concerts. While at Balliol he composed Warwick School
Warwick School
Warwick School is an independent school with boarding facilities for boys in Warwick, England, and is reputed to be the third-oldest surviving school in the country after King's School, Canterbury and St Peter's School, York; and the oldest boy's school in England...
's first school song, Here's a Song For All, in 1892. He championed the music of Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
, and his own oratorio "Christ and His Soldiers" was popular with smaller choirs. Most of Farmer's stage works were intended for amateurs, often youngsters. John Farmer was buried at St Sepulchre's Cemetery
St Sepulchre's Cemetery
St Sepulchre's Cemetery is located in Jericho, central Oxford, England.The cemetery was opened in 1849, initially as an overflow for north Oxford because existing cemeteries were overcrowded with corpses from epidemics such as cholera...
, Oxford.