Frederick Delius
(1862-1934), ComposerSitter in 18 portraits
Composer of orchestral and choral works. Bradford-born Delius studied at the Leipzig Conservatory (1886-8) and achieved success in Germany before his talent was eventually recognised in Britain, largely due to promotion by the conductor Sir Thomas Beecham. Works such as the opera A Village Romeo and Juliet (1907) and A Mass of Life (1909) have increased in reputation since Delius's death, and pieces such as Brigg Fair are now seen as quintessentially English. In 1916, he completed Requiem, dedicated 'to the memory of all young Artists fallen in the war'. In later life, Delius started losing his sight and the use of his limbs, and could no longer compose, however in 1928, a young musician, Eric Fenby, came to live in with the Deliuses, which enabled Delius to complete by dictation a number of other works.
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