Dyson Retires
Donald Macleod discusses Dyson's work in retirement, which included administering the Royal College of Organists and the Carnegie UK Trust, and writing various large choral works.
Celebrated composer, broadcaster, teacher, and author of the first manual on hand grenade use, this week Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Sir George Dyson.
Donald Macleod, in the company of biographer, Paul Spicer, visits the Royal College of Music, an institution that played a significant part in the life of Sir George Dyson. Dyson had taken his responsibilities as Director of the RCM very seriously but, with the added pressures caused by the the Second World War and its aftermath, he announced his retirement from the post in 1952. Dyson had made a significant impact upon the profile and standard of the college, but had also amazingly found time to compose as well, including the second part of Quo Vadis and his Concerto leggiero.
In retirement, Dyson was still exceptionally busy, including positions as President of the Royal College of Organists and Chairman of the Carnegie UK Trust. He also had something of an Indian summer, composing a number of large choral works, including Sweet Thames Run Softly, Agincourt, and Hierusalem. He died in 1964 but his presence is still felt at the Royal College, not least because of the large portrait of Sir George Dyson hanging near the director's office.
Last on
More episodes
Next
You are at the last episode
Music Played
-
![]()
Sir George Dyson
Concerto leggiero - Vivace
Performer: City of London Sinfonia. Performer: Eric Parkin. Conductor: Richard Hickox.- CHANDOS : CHAN-9076.
- CHANDOS.
-
![]()
Sir George Dyson
Hierusalem
Conductor: Jonathan Rennert. Orchestra: Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Performer: Thomas Trotter. Choir: St. Michael鈥檚 Singers. Singer: Valery Hill.- Hyperion: CDA66150.
- Hyperion.
- 1.
-
![]()
Sir George Dyson
The Canterbury pilgrims - L envoi
Orchestra: London S O.. Choir: London Symphony Chorus. Singer: Stephen Roberts. Singer: Robert Tear. Singer: Yvonne Kenny.- CHANDOS : CHAN-9532.
- CHANDOS.
- 6.
-
![]()
Sir George Dyson
God moves in a mysterious way (Variations on Old Psalm Tunes, Book 1)
Performer: Peter Dyke.- Priory: PRCD1029.
- 4.
-
![]()
Sir George Dyson
Quo vadis - They are at rest
Singer: Roderick Williams. Singer: Cheryl Barker. Singer: Jean Rigby. Orchestra: 91热爆 National Orchestra of Wales. Conductor: Richard Hickox. Choir: 91热爆 National Chorus of Wales. Singer: Philip Langridge.- CHANDOS : CHAN-10061.
- CHANDOS.
- 5.
Broadcasts
- Fri 3 Oct 2014 12:0091热爆 Radio 3
- Fri 3 Oct 2014 18:3091热爆 Radio 3
Vaughan Williams Today
Programmes, concerts and features celebrating Vaughan Williams's 150th anniversary.
Beethoven Unleashed 鈥� the box set
The complete set of Radio 3 Beethoven Unleashed podcasts, with Donald Macleod.
What was really wrong with Beethoven?
Georgia Mann and neurosurgeon Henry Marsh examine the composer's numerous health problems
Composers A to Z
Visit the extensive audio archive of Radio 3 programmes about Composers and their works.
Who knew? Five eye-opening stories from Composer of the Week
The production team reflects on 5 of Donald Macleod鈥檚 best stories from the last 20 years
Five reasons why we love Parry's Jerusalem
What is the strange power of Jerusalem which makes strong men weep?
A man out of time 鈥� why Parry's music and ideas were at odds with his image...
The composer of Jerusalem was very far from the conservative figure his image suggests.
Composer Help Page
Find resources and contacts for composers from within the classical music industry.