Jacob, Gordon (Percival Septimus)
Jacob, Gordon (Percival Septimus)
Jacob, Gordon (Percival Septimus), distinguished English composer and pedagogue; b. London, July 5, 1895; d. Saffron Waiden, June 8, 1984. He studied at Dulwich Coll. and took courses in composition with Stanford, Howells, and Wood at the Royal Coll. of Music in London (D.Mus., 1935). He taught at the Royal Coll. of Music from 1926 to 1966; among his notable students were Malcolm Arnold, Imogen Hoist, Elizabeth Maconchy, and Bernard Stevens. In 1968 he was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire. Jacob produced a significant output of instrumental music, and also publ. several important books.
Writings
(all publ. in London): Orchestral Technique: A Manual for Students (1931; 3rd ed., 1983); How to Read a Score (1944); The Composer and His Art (1954); The Elements of Orchestration (1962).
Works
ORCH.: 2 viola concertos (1925, 1979); 2 piano concertos (1927, 1957); 2 syms. (1928-29; 1943-44); Denbigh Suite for Strings (1929); Variations on an Air by Purcell for Strings (1930); Passacaglia on a Well-known Theme (1931); 2 oboe concertos (1933, 1956); Variations on an Original Theme (1936); Divertimento (1938); 3 suites (1941; 1948-49; 1949); 3 sinfoniettas (1942, 1951, 1953); Sym. for Strings (1943); Concerto for Bassoon, Strings, and Percussion (1947); Rhapsody for English Horn and Strings (1948); Concerto for Horn and Strings (1951); Flute Concerto (1951); Trombone Concerto (1952); Concerto for Violin and Strings (1953); Violin Concerto (1954); Divertimento for Harmonica and Strings (1954); Cello Concerto (1955); Prelude and Toccata (1955); Sym. for Small Orch. (1958); 2 overtures (1965); Concerto for Piano Duet, 3-Hands, and Orch. (1969); Concerto for Band (1970); A York Symphony for Woodwinds (1971); Suite for Tuba and Strings (1972). CHAMBER: String Quartet (1928); Quartet for Oboe and Strings (1938); Quintet for Clarinet and Strings (1942); Serenade for 8 Woodwind Instruments (1950); Piano Trio (1955); Cello Sonata (1957); Sextet for Wind Quintet and Piano (1962); Suite for 4 Trombones (1968); Divertimento for 8 Wind Instruments (1969); Suite for Bassoon and String Quartet (1969); Trio for Clarinet, Viola, and Piano (1969); Introduction and Rondo for Clarinet Choir (1972); Piano Quartet (1971); Suite for 8 Violas (1976); Viola Sonata (1978); piano pieces.VOCAL: Sacred and secular choral works; songs.
—Nicolas Slonimsaky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire