Ferguson, Howard
Ferguson, Howard
Ferguson, Howard, Irish pianist, musicologist, and composer; b. Belfast, Oct. 21, 1908; d. Cambridge, Nov. 1, 1999. He studied piano with Harold Samuel, and also took courses in composition with R.O. Morris and in conducting with Sargent at the Royal Coll. of Music in London (1924–28). From 1948 to 1963 he was a prof, of composition at the Royal Academy of Music in London. His music is neo-Classical in its idiom; in some of his compositions he made use of English, Scottish, and Irish folk songs.
Works
EDITIONS W. Tisdall: Complete Keyboard Works (London, 1958); Style and Interpretation: An Anthology: Early Keyboard Music: England and France; Early Keyboard Music: Germany and Italy; Classical Piano Music; Romantic Piano Music; Keyboard Duets (2 vols., London, 1963–71); Style and Interpretation: Sequels: Early French Keyboard Music, I, II; Early Italian Keyboard Music, I, II; Early German Keyboard Music, I, II; Early English Keyboard Music, I, II (8 vols., London, 1966–71); with C. Hogwood, W. Croft: Complete Harpsichord Works (2 vols., London, 1974); Anne Cromwell’s Virginal Book, 1638 (London, 1974); F. Schubert, Piano Sonatas (London, 1979); Keyboard Works of C.P.E. Bach (4 vols., London, 1983). DRAMATIC: Ballet : Chauntecleer (1948). ORCH.: Partita (1935–36; also for 2 Pianos); 4 Diversions on Ulster Airs (1939–42); Overture for an Occasion (1952–53); Concerto for Piano and Strings (1950–51; London, May 29, 1952, Myra Hess soloist). CHAMBER: 5 Irish Folktunes for Cello or Viola and Piano (1927); 2 violin sonatas (1931, 1946); 4 Short Pieces for Clarinet or Viola and Piano (1932–36); 3 Sketches for Flute and Piano (1932–52); Octet for Clarinet, Bassoon, Horn, String Quartet, and Double Bass (1933); 5 Pipe Pieces for 3 Bamboo Pipes (1934–35); Flute Sonata (1938–0); 2 Fanfares for 4 Trumpets and 3 Trombones (1952). KEYBOARD : Piano : 5 Bagatelles (1944). VOCAL: 2 Ballads for Baritone, Chorus, and Orch. (1928–32); 3 Medieval Carols for Voice and Piano (1932–33); Discovery for Voice and Piano (1951); 5 Irish Folksongs for Voice and Piano (1954); Amore langueo for Tenor, Chorus, and Orch. (1955–56); The Dream of the Rood for Soprano or Tenor, Chorus, and Orch. (1958–59).
Bibliography
A. Ridout, ed., The Music of H. F., a Symposium (London, 1989).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire