Herbert Howells (1892-1983)

Herbert Howells was born in Lydney, Gloucestershire in 1892. He studied first at Gloucester Cathedral with Ivor Novello. While at Gloucester, Howells heard the premiere of the Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The experience was to leave a lasting impression on Howells. He went on to study at the Royal College of Music under Charles Wood, Hubert Parry and Charles Stanford. Later he would return as a teacher of composition himself working alongside Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Howells was diagnosed with Graves’ disease in 1915 and was amongst the first to receive radium treatment. The illness prevented him continuing as assistant organist at Salisbury Cathedral. Fortunately Howells received a grant and found work he enjoyed assisting Richard Runciman Terry edit the Latin Tudor repertoire at Westminster Cathedral and it was here that he absorbed the English Renaissance style. Howells became a major composer of 20th century church music writing classics such as A Spotless Rose, Like as the hart and King David which uses words by Walter de la Mare – Howell’s favourite poet. As well as composing for organ and piano, Howells also wrote extensively for the clavichord.

Some of Howells’ music written after 1935 is thought to reflect a personal tragedy – the death of his 9 year old son Michael due to polio/meningitis. World War II found Howell’s serving as acting organist of St. John’s College, Cambridge. He later received an honorary doctorate from the university followed by Companion of Honour in 1972. Howells died in London in 1983. His ashes remain in Westminster Abbey.