Description

HORACE FELLOWES (WOLVERHAMPTON, 26 MAY 1875 – PEEBLES, 12 NOVEMBER, 1975)

 

 

 

 

Horace Fellowes was a Scottish violinist, orchestral leader, conductor, and pedagogue who played a central role in Glasgow’s musical life for more than six decades.

Born in Wolverhampton, Fellowes moved with his family to Glasgow in 1883. He was educated at St Francis Primary School and later at the Marist Brothers School in Clyde Street. Introduced to the violin by his father, he began performing as a soloist from the age of ten and toured England in 1891–92 with the Madam Lloyd Choir.

Fellowes continued his violin studies with John Daly at the Glasgow Athenaeum (later the Royal Scottish Academy of Music, now the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland) before travelling to Germany to study at the Cologne Conservatorium under Professor Willy Hess.

His professional career brought him into association with many important musical ensembles. He served as leader of the Sir Thomas Beecham Orchestra before returning to Scotland in 1914 to become leader of the Scottish National Orchestra (later the Royal Scottish National Orchestra). That same year he was appointed Principal Violin Master and Conductor of the Orchestra at the Glasgow Athenaeum. He later became Head of Strings, a position he held until his 80th birthday, maintaining an association with the institution for more than forty years.

The First World War interrupted his orchestral career: the Scottish Orchestra was disbanded in 1916, and although Fellowes was called up for military service, he was excused from active duty due to poor eyesight. He continued to support musical life during the war through his work with the Choral and Orchestral Unions.

As a performer, Fellowes was particularly admired for his annual New Year’s Day performances of Messiah at St Andrews Hall, which became a celebrated Glasgow tradition. He was closely involved with numerous musical societies, including the Palette Club, the Orpheus Club, the Grand Opera Society, and the Society of Musicians, serving as President of the latter in 1922.

Fellowes maintained close ties with Ye Cronies and was a friend of many of its leading figures, including Sir John Barbirolli. He appeared at Cronies events on several occasions and became an Honorary Member in the early 1930s. During the Second World War, his work for the Council for the Encouragement of Music and the Arts (CEMA) likely assisted in securing artists for the club.

He continued performing and conducting into advanced age and published his autobiography, Music in My Heart, in 1958. Horace Fellowes died at his home in Peebles, Scotland, on 12 November 1975, nearly six months after celebrating his 100th birthday.

 

TRACKLIST

 

 

1. Bach Work Sarabande RENARD TRIO (RENARD FELLOWES EPSTEIN) Gramophone 08026 4269f 6-7-10
2. Beethoven Work Trio Op 2 No 2 Adagio RENARD TRIO (RENARD FELLOWES EPSTEIN) Gramophone 08008 2362f 08
3. Dvořák Work Humoreske Op 101 No 7 RENARD QUARTET (RENARD FELLOWES EPSTEIN ELI HUDSON) Gramophone 08017 2865f 25-2-09
4. Dvořák Work Slavische Tanz Op 46 No 8 RENARD QUARTET (RENARD FELLOWES EPSTEIN ELI HUDSON) Gramophone 08025 3092f 25-5-09
5. Mendelssohn Work Chant sans paroles Op 53 No 2 RENARD FELLOWES EPSTEIN cello violin piano Gramophone 038001 2708f 11-11-08
6. Mendelssohn Work Spinning song Op 67 No 4 RENARD QUARTET (RENARD FELLOWES EPSTEIN ELI HUDSON) Gramophone 08015 2862f 25-2-09
7. Niels Gade Work Novellettes 1er movement RENARD TRIO (RENARD FELLOWES EPSTEIN) Gramophone 038018 ac5721f 8-11-11
8. Reissiger Rondo from Trio Op.56 (RENARD FELLOWES EPSTEIN) Gramophone 08007 2405f, August 1908
9. Reissiger Rondo from Trio Op.85 RENARD TRIO (RENARD FELLOWES EPSTEIN) Gramophone 8064 8061e, October 1908
10. Reissiger Work Trio Op 56 Andante RENARD TRIO (RENARD vln FELLOWES cello EPSTEIN piano) Gramophone 08005 2404f -08
11. Schumann Work Liebesgarten Op 34 No 1 RENARD TRIO (RENARD FELLOWES EPSTEIN) Gramophone 08011 2703f 11-11-08
12. Tchaikovsky Work Chant sans paroles Op 2 No 3 RENARD QUARTET (RENARD FELLOWES EPSTEIN ELI HUDSON) Gramophone 08024 3091f 25-5-09
13. Von Blon Work Sérénade d‘amour RENARD QUARTET (RENARD FELLOWES EPSTEIN ELI HUDSON) Gramophone 08021 3094f 25-5-09
14. Von Blon Work Sizilietta RENARD QUARTET (RENARD FELLOWES EPSTEIN ELI HUDSON) Gramophone 08019 3097f 25-5-09
15. Reissiger, Work Trio Op 56 Andante Reissiger, Performer RENARD TRIO (RENARD vln, FELLOWES cello, EPSTEIN, piano) 08005 2404f -08
16. Four Fancies Op.18 for violin and piano (Theodore Holland)
17. Poem
18. Fireflies
19. Nightfall
20. Green Lattice
21. Nightfall

Horace Fellowes (violin)

Theodore Holland (piano)

Edison Bell Velvet Face 1101, 1102  8510-1  8511-1, 8512-1  8513-1, August 1924