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Cyril Bradley Rootham

(1875-1938), Composer, musical director and educator

Sitter in 2 portraits

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Cyril Bradley Rootham, by Lafayette - NPG x48646

Cyril Bradley Rootham

by Lafayette
half-plate nitrate negative, 12 December 1933
NPG x48646

Cyril Bradley Rootham, by Lafayette - NPG x48647

Cyril Bradley Rootham

by Lafayette
half-plate nitrate negative, 12 December 1933
NPG x48647

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Dan Rootham (grandson of Cyril Rootham)

31 October 2018, 08:57

You describe Cyril Rootham as a "Lecturer in music", which is true. But he was much more than that: during his working life in Cambridge (1901-1938) he was director of music at St. John's College, musical director of the CUMS (Cambridge University Music Society), a university lecturer in composition, AND a prolific composer. His composition pupils included such future well-known names as Arthur Bliss, Armstrong Gibbs and Patrick Hadley.

Rootham composed over 100 works, including two symphonies, a three-act opera, 20 choral works, 14 chamber works, 13 orchestral works and many songs and part songs. He was widely regarded as congenial, energetic and a driver of musical life in Cambridge during his lifetime.