BRITISH COMPOSER

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23117, 16 August 1938, Page 9

BRITISH COMPOSER

SIR LANDON RONALD DEAD LOSS TO MUSICAL WORLD (Received August 15, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, August 14 The death has occurred of the wellknown musician and composer Sir Landon Ronald. ' Sir Landon Ronald was born in London in June, 1873, a son of Henry Russell, who composed popular songs. He was educated at St. Marvlebone Grammar School and Margate College. At the age of three he had his first piano lessons from his mother and at seven he could play the violin. Entering the Royal College of Music at the age of 13, he studied piano, violin and composition, completing his course at 16. When he was 17, he secured his first engagement—to play the piano part in Wormser's "L'Enfant Prodigue" for £lO a week at a London theatre. This he did more than 500 times in various parts of England and Scotland. He then conducted comic operas and at 18 obtained the post of "maestro al piano" at Covent Garden Opera.

Later Sir Augustus Harris sent a first-class Opera Company on tour with Ronald as one of the conductors. In 1893 Dame Melba, who wanted a pianist to study "Alanon" with her, engaged him and after that he was her accompanist and conductor on British and American tours. At the early age of 22 ho conducted grand opera at Covent Garden and Drury Lane. Then from 1896 to 1899 lie was engaged at the Lyric Theatre where musical comedy was given. Later he acted as conductor of orchestral concerts in the chief towns of England and Scotland and also in those of Europe and America. Ronald was a successful organiser and conductor of Sunday concerts in musichalls. He was appointed Principal of the Guildhall School of Music in 1910, resigning at the end of last year, lie was knighted in 1922. In 1896 lie had been appointed musical adviser to the Gramophone Company, of which lie became a director in 1930. He lost his wile in 1932. Sir Landon was a great friend of Dr. Elgar. It was he who persuaded the latter to begin work on his third symphony, which was out short by his death. 'Sir Landon afterwards headed the committee which appealed for funds to endow Dr. Elgar's birthplace as a museum. Sir Landon's compositions include about 300 songs, incidental music to the "Garden of Allah," the dramatic scena "Adonais," "The Lament of Shah .Tehan," a "Birthday Overture," a symphonic poem and sonic ballets. He also engaged in musical journalism and wrote his reminiscences.