Sunday 11 July 2010

Horace Barton: Composer and Pianist

Not a lot is known about Horace Barton. In fact, I had never come across him until I discovered an advert in a musical album published by Augener. The internet does not really help very much save to suggest that he was a South African composer and musician who lived in Johannesburg and was both an organist and choral conductor there.

There is a web page that suggests that Barton was a World War I flying ace, yet it is not possible to prove they are one and the same. The article notes that he was born in 1891. Furthermore, it is highly unlikely that the musical Horace Barton is the same person as runs a menswear shop in Cheltenham! One history of piano music suggests that HB was born in Port Elizabeth, Cape Colony, although another book implies he was a London-born composer.
Yet his published works list is a testimony to his achievement, even if it is not extensive. Perhaps there is more of his music lying hidden somewhere in manuscript?
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Barcarolle pour piano. London: Augener 1901
‘An Hour with Thee’ Song -words by Sir W. Scott. London: Augener, 1901
Melody in A flat for the Pianoforte. London: Augener, 1901
Pavane Op. 16 for the pianoforte. London: Reynolds & Co, 1903
Polonaise pour Piano. London: Augener, 1901
Redowak Op. 15 for the pianoforte. London: Reynolds & Co, 1903
Romance pour piano. London: Augener, 1901
Romance for violin & pianoforte. London: Augener, 1904
Rondo Scherzando pour piano. London: Augener, 1901
‘The singer’ Song - poem by Rosa Nepgen London: Paterson's Publications, 1935
Sonata in G, for the pianoforte. London: Augener, 1901
Three Cameos for the pianoforte. Op. 20 London: Augener, 1905
‘Too blossoms’ poem by Herrick London: Paterson's Publications 1935
Valse Arabesque for the pianoforte. London: Augener, 1903
Valse Brillante pour piano. London: Augener, 1901
Valse Caprice pour piano. London: Augener, 1901
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Perhaps the item here that most deserves investigation is the Piano Sonata in G dating from 1901?

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