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'''Herbert''' Norman '''Howells''' (1892-1983) [[English]] [[composer]], [[organ]]ist and educator, was born and began his musical training - like so many  contributors  to the musical fabric of early and mid twentieth century culture -  in the west country of England. Like [[Ivor Gurney]], only two years his senior and lifelong friend, his first “job” was playing the organ at [[Gloucester]] [[Cathedral]].

'''Herbert''' Norman '''Howells''' (1892-1983) [[English]] [[composer]], [[organ]]ist and educator, was born and began his musical training - like so many  contributors  to the musical fabric of early and mid twentieth century culture -  in the west country of England. Like [[Ivor Gurney]], only two years his senior and lifelong friend, his first “job” was playing the organ at [[Gloucester]] [[Cathedral]].

Like Gurney he studied under [[Charles Villiers Stanford|Stanford]] at the Royal College of Music. He spent  time as organist at [[Salisbury]] Cathedral, wrote for the ''Athenaeum'' magazine and' in 1920, began teaching at the RCM.  In 1937 he succeeded [[Gustav Holst]] as musical director at St. Paul’s school for girls. For much of this time he adjudicated at many of the music competitions that were and are a part of British musical culture. He also marked exam papers. Ill health had prevented him from serving in [[World War I|the Great War]]

Like Gurney he studied under [[Charles Villiers Stanford|Stanford]] at the Royal College of Music. He spent  time as organist at [[Salisbury]] Cathedral, wrote for the ''Athenaeum'' magazine and' in 1920, began teaching at the RCM.  In 1937 he succeeded [[Gustav Holst]] as musical director at St. Paul's school for girls. For much of this time he adjudicated at many of the music competitions that were and are a part of British musical culture. He also marked exam papers. Ill health had prevented him from serving in [[World War I|the Great War]]

All this held back the composing career he is known for today.  He did write but not a lot. A mass, a [[piano]] [[concerto]] and various short pieces. His first real success was the [[oratorio]] ''“Hymnus paradisi"'' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3gRjth_sdE] in 1950.  

All this held back the composing career he is known for today.  He did write but not a lot. A mass, a [[piano]] [[concerto]] and various short pieces. His first real success was the [[oratorio]] ''“Hymnus paradisi"'' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3gRjth_sdE] in 1950.  

For all this, he rejected the Christian faith.

For all this, he rejected the Christian faith.

His music is well known in America. He was commissioned to write for the Memorial Service for [[John F. Kennedy]]. The motet, ''“Take him earth, for cherishing”'' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGiA0DuoZCc], a setting of a translation by Helen Waddell  of ''“Hymnus circa exsequias defunct”'' by the fourth century Christian [[poet]], Aurelius Prudentius Clemens was performed as part of the Service in Washington Cathedral, the year after Kennedy’s death.

His music is well known in America. He was commissioned to write for the Memorial Service for [[John F. Kennedy]]. The motet, ''“Take him earth, for cherishing”'' [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGiA0DuoZCc], a setting of a translation by Helen Waddell  of ''“Hymnus circa exsequias defunct”'' by the fourth century Christian [[poet]], Aurelius Prudentius Clemens was performed as part of the Service in Washington Cathedral, the year after Kennedy's death.

His music is well crafted, delicate yet often [[rhapsody|rhapsodic]] and approachable though firmly rooted in the twentieth century. These days it is well served on CD and his chamber pieces, gentle, pastoral and refined, are beginning to find a wider audience.

His music is well crafted, delicate yet often [[rhapsody|rhapsodic]] and approachable though firmly rooted in the twentieth century. These days it is well served on CD and his chamber pieces, gentle, pastoral and refined, are beginning to find a wider audience.