Hall, Richard

Hall, Richard (b York, 1903; d Horsham, 1982). Eng. composer, teacher, and poet. Played vc. and org. Org., Dorchester Abbey, Oxon, 1923. Org. scholar Peterhouse, Cambridge Univ., 1923–4. Ordained in C of E. Precentor, Leeds Parish Church 1926–36. Left church 1936, chiefly because of growing interest in Eastern religion and philosophy. Mus. adv., Lancs. Community Council 1936–40. Prof. of harmony and comp., RMCM, 1938–56. Influential teacher, pupils incl. Maxwell Davies, A. Goehr, Birtwistle, D. Wilde, and A. Butterworth. Dir. of mus. Dartington Hall 1956–65, founding Dartington Str. Qt. Ordained as Liberal Catholic priest 1959. Minister, Unitarian Church, Moretonhampstead 1965–7, Horsham 1967–76, Billingshurst 1968–76. Pubd. 7 books of poetry 1970–5. Comps., influenced by Delius, Scriabin, Schoenberg, and Berg, incl. 5 syms.; pf. conc.; 2 str. qts.; 19 pf. sonatas (1934–5); vc. conc.; Lyric Pieces, orch. (1946); sym.-poem Lemura; Creator Spiritus, vv., orch.; Rhapsody, org., str. (1929); orch. fantasy The Sheep Under the Snow; songs, etc.