Bernard Farebrother Explained

Bernard Farebrother (1846 - 1888) was an organist and composer based in Birmingham.

Life

He was the son of Rev. H.W. Farebrother, vicar of Arlington in Sussex, and grandson of Charles Farebrother, Alderman of the City of London.^[1] He studied organ in Norwich with Zechariah Buck. After a career as an organist which had some notable incidents, including being sacked from his employment in Warwick,^[2] he committed suicide aged 40.^[3]

Appointments

• Organist of Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick 1867 - 1871
• Organist of St Paul's Church, Birmingham 1873 - 1884
• Organist of Holy Trinity Church, Birchfields

Works

His compositions include the following songs:

• Across the sea
• Annabel Lee
• Gentle spring
• Hymn to the Night
• Maid of Athens
• The Great God Pan

He also wrote

• Piano Sonata, Plein de Doute (1869)^[4]
• Day Dreams, a Reverie for Piano (1875)^[5]

Religious works include:

• Anthem, O Give Thanks Unto The Lord^[6]
• Te Deum and Jubilate in B flat.
• Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in B flat.
• The Offertory Sentences (1878)^[7]

Notes and References

1. News: . Musical Notes . Norfolk News . England . 16 September 1871 . 14 November 2023 .
2. Leamington Spa Courier. Saturday 23 September 1871. p.7. Clergymen and Organists
3. Leamington Spa Courier. Saturday 21 July 1888. p.8. Suicide of an Organist
4. News: . New Music . Norfolk News . England . 30 October 1869 . 14 November 2023 .
5. News: . New Music . Southend Standard and Essex Weekly Advertiser . England . 12 March 1875 . 14 November 2023 .
6. Web site: O Give Thanks unto the Lord (Farebrother, Bernard) . . Internet Sheet Music Public Library . Novello, Ewer & Co . 14 November 2023 .
7. News: . New Music . Eastern Daily Press . England . 4 February 1878 . 14 November 2023 .