Farrar, Ernest (Bristow)

Farrar, Ernest (Bristow) (b Lewisham, 1885; d in action nr. Le Cateau, Cambrai, 1918). Eng. composer and organist. Friend of Frank Bridge. Org., Eng. church, Dresden, 1909, then St Hilda's, South Shields, 1910–12 and Christ Church, Harrogate, 1912–16. While at Harrogate gave lessons from 1914 to Finzi. Enlisted in army 1915; commissioned in Devonshire Regiment 1918. Killed at Battle of Epéhy Ronssoy, Somme Valley, 18 Sept. 1918. Comp. prize in his memory founded at RCM (later twice won by Britten), but now amalgamated with Sullivan Prize. Bridge's pf. sonata (1921–4) is dedicated to his memory. Works (dates given are either of publication or f.p.) incl.:ORCH.: Rhapsody No.1 The Open Road, after Whitman (1909), No.2 Lavengro, after Borrow (1913); sym.-poem The Forsaken Merman, after Arnold (1914); Variations on an Old British Sea Song, pf., orch. (1915); English Pastoral Impressions, suite (1915); 3 Spiritual Studies, str. (1925); Heroic Elegy ‘For Soldiers’, orch. (1918).CHORAL: 3 partsongs, mixed ch. (1907); 2 part-songs, male vv. (1909); The Blessed Damozel, low v., ch., orch. (1907); Margaritae Sorori, unacc. ch. (1916); Out of Doors, Whitman suite, ch., orch. (c.1911); A Song of St Francis, unison, pf. (1919); Summer ( C. Rossetti), women's vv., pf. or sop., orch. (1918).CHAMBER MUSIC: vn. sonata (lost); Celtic Suite, vn., pf. (1910); Celtic Impressions, str. qt. (?).PIANO: Valse caprice (1913); Miniature Suite (1913); Shadow Dance (1922); 3 Pieces (1915–27, pubd.); 3 Pieces (1916); 2 North Country Sketches (1920).ORGAN: Fantasy Prelude (1908); 3 Chorale Preludes (1920); A Wedding Piece (1925); Elegy (1925); 6 Pieces (1926).SONGS: 3 songs (1906); Vagabond Songs, bar., orch. (1911); Brittany (1914); O Mistress Mine (1921); 2 Elizabethan Love Songs (1921).