Christopher Tambling Explained

Christopher Tambling
Birth Date:13 May 1964
Birth Place:Clevedon, Somerset, England
Death Place:Somerset, England
Education:
Children:2

Christopher Tambling (13 May 1964 – 3 October 2015)[1] was a British composer, organist and choirmaster. From 1997 to 2015 he was Director of Music at Downside School and organist and Choirmaster of the Schola Cantorum at Downside Abbey, leading the choir to international success.

Life

He received his musical education from Malcolm McKelvey at Christ's Hospital in Horsham, Sussex and at St Peter's College, Oxford. He later became the city organist and conductor of the Symphony Orchestra and Music Director of Glenalmond College in Perth, Scotland. His organ pupils have gone on to continuing success, including scholarships to Oxford and Cambridge.

Tambling died in Somerset in 2015 and was survived by his wife and two sons, both of whom are professional musicians.

Works

Tambling established himself as a composer and arranger of choral and organ works especially, well beyond the borders of his country. His compositions are often characterized by a romantic, expressive and an easy to get style. His main publisher in the UK was Kevin Mayhew and in German-speaking countries Dr. J. Butz. Tambling published books for students of various instruments, including a hugely successful 4 four-volume series, The Church Organist: A New Method, which, combining technical studies, improvisation, hymn-playing and a broad purview of repertoire, offers an approachable method to mastering the organ and has been lauded as a must-have for any aspiring organist. Tambling also wrote a number of pieces for children, including two children’s musicals with Michael Forster, which have been performed all over the world.

His works include, with the years indicating publication:

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Christopher Tambling, musical director - obituary . 3 April 2019 . 25 October 2015.