Lucas, Clarence (Reynolds)

Lucas, Clarence (Reynolds), Canadian conductor, writer on music, and composer, father of Leigh-ton Lucas; b. Smithville, Ontario, Oct. 19, 1866; d. Sèvres, near Paris, July 1, 1947. He received training in piano, organ, and violin in Montreal, and completed his studies in Paris with Marty and at the Cons, with Dubois. In 1888–89 he taught at the Toronto Coll. of Music, and in 1889–90 he was conductor of the Hamilton Phil. Soc. After teaching in Utica, N.Y. (1890–92), he was active in London mainly as a theater conductor. In 1903 he became the London correspondent of the Musical Courier of N.Y., and from 1907 to 1919 served on its editorial staff. He also conducted musicals for George M. Cohan. After another London sojourn (1919–23), he sent to Sèvres and was the Paris correspondent of the Musical Courier until 1933. He publ. The Story of Musical Form (London, 1908).

Works

dramatic: The Money Spider, opera (c. 1897); Anne Hathaway, opera (c. 1897); Peggy Machree, musical play (1904); Peer Gynt, incidental music to Ibsen’s play (1906). orch.: Sym.; 2 symphonic poems; overtures, including As You Like It(1899) and Macbeth(1900). chamber:Élégie for Violin and Piano (1895); 2 ballades for Violin and Piano (1901, 1939); Légende for Violin and Piano (1903); 5 Lyrical Pieces for Violin and Piano (1908); 3 Impromptus for Violin (1938); many piano pieces; organ works. vocal:The Birth of Christ, cantata (1901); choral works; songs.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire