Carter Organists
Glen Carter
Looking for Compositions by these Canadian Musicians and biographical
information.
HENRY CARTER
Organist, Choirmaster and Composer, Henry Carter studied with his father
John, Sir John Goss, Ernest Pauer, and Charles Steggall of London, England
and then went on to further study with August Haupt, Ferdinand Hiller and
Frederick Kiel in Germany.
He came to Canada in the early 1850's and in 1857 became the Organist at
the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Quebec, Quebec until 1861. He is said
to have founded one of Canada's earliest oratorio societies there, and to
have presented the first performance in Lower Canada of "Messiah" in 1857.
Actually, he and his brother John in Toronto had arranged to perform the
Messiah on the same
day.
Henry was the English choirmaster of the Quebec Harmonic Society until 1864
when he moved to the United States. During the years' 1880-83 he was a
church Organist and Teacher at the College of Music in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He was best known as a recitalist and a composer of church music, as well
as two string quartets and an anthem for soloists, chorus, and orchestra.
He also wrote several songs.
I have records stating that Henry died in 1901 in New York city, but do not
know if he was working as an Organist at the time or if he was married. I
am assuming he was single as his brother John brought his remains to
Toronto, Ontario for burial.
JOHN CARTER
John arrived in Quebec City, Quebec Canada where he worked as the Organist
at the Anglican Cathedral of the Holy Trinity from 1853-1856. In 1856, he
moved to Toronto, Ontario Canada where he became the Organist and
Choirmaster at St. James Cathedral until 1878.
John founded the Sacred Harmonic Choir whose presentation, in 1857, of
"Messiah" on December 17, 1857 was thought to be the first complete
"Oratorio" performance in Upper Canada. (Ontario)
He also founded the Musical Union in 1861.
He gave a series of several Piano Recitals in Toronto during 1865 and 1866
and during the early 1870's he directed his brother William's cantata,
"Placido, The Christian Martyr" at St. James Schoolhouse.
After 1878, John went on to become a professor of music and lived for a
time in Port Dalhousie, Ontario. He was committed to the Hospital for the
Insane in Mimico, Ontario about 1913, shortly after his wife died. He died
there of old age in 1917.
According to the Canadian Census of 1891, John's occupation was listed as a
Music Teacher.
WILLIAM CARTER
William studied Organ with his father John and Ernst Pauer of London,
England and later was organist at several churches throughout
England.
For the year of 1859, he exchanged places with his brother Henry at the
Anglican cathedral in Quebec, Quebec Canada. While there he
conducted what possibly was the largest "Handel Festival" held in Canada to
date. It included a performance of "Judas Maccabeus" on
April 13, 1859; the centenary of Handel's death.
His compositions include the cantata "Placida", anthems, songs, part songs
and choral arrangements.
GEORGE CARTER
George was an organist and composer of Operas, Cantatas, Songs, Organ works
and miscellaneous pieces. He was a pupil of Sir John Goss of London,
England.
George gave recitals in England, continental Europe and the USA Sometime
around 1861 he emigrated to Canada and became the Organist at Christ Church
Cathedral in Montreal for nearly ten years. In the 1862-63 season, he
organized a series of "Concerts Classiques" of chamber music in Montreal.
In 1870, He returned to England where he was the Organist at Royal Albert
Hall for several years.
He was best known for his compilation of "A Selection of Anthems as Sung in
The Cathedrals of Montreal, Toronto and Quebec." (John Lovell 1865)
ALFRED CARTER
Alfred followed in the footsteps of his cousin John Carter who was the
Organist and Choirmaster at St. James Cathedral, Toronto, Ontario from
1857-1878 and became the Organist at the Cathedral in 1888-?
It is said that Alfred left this position because of a dispute with the
rector and church wardens over the playing of the Hymns.
Seems that Alfred wanted to bring the "beat" up to date and church
officials disagreed. I consider this unusual for the usually
ultra-conservative Carter clan.
I have been told that Alfred to the United States -possibly Buffalo, New
York - where he became an Organist and Choirmaster with the Episcopalian
Church.
Thank You;
Glen Carter
Etobicoke, ON
Canada
gca...@wwonline.com
--
There are no dumb questions, only stupid mistakes.
Policies and Procedures are for inefficient managers to hide behind.