Naylor, Bernard (James)

Naylor, Bernard (James), English-born Canadian organist, conductor, and composer, son of Edward (Woodall) Naylor ; b. Cambridge, Nov. 22, 1907; d. Keswick, Cumbria, England, May 20, 1986. He studied composition with Vaughan Williams, Hoist, and Ireland at the Royal Coll. of Music in London (1924–27), then served as conductor of the Oxford Univ. Opera Club (1927–31). In 1932 he went to Canada, where he was active in Winnipeg as conductor of its Male Voice Choir, Phil. Choir, and Sym. Orch. He returned to England in 1936 and was organist and director of music at Queen’s Coll., Oxford, until 1939. Once more in Canada, he conducted the Little Sym. Orch. in Montreal (1942–47). He then returned again to England and taught at Oxford (1950–52) and at Reading Univ. (1952–59). He moved permanently to Canada in 1959. As a composer, he specialized in sacred choral music.

Works

Variations for Small Orch. (1960); String Trio (1960); The Living Fountain, cycle of 4 songs for Tenor and String Orch. (1947); Missa da camera for 4 Vocal Soloists, Chorus, and Chamber Orch. (1954–66); The Resurrection According to Saint Matthew, Easter cantata (1965); The Nymph Complaining for the Death of Her Faun for Mezzo- soprano, Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon, and String Quartet (1965); Festal Te Deum for Chorus and Orch. (1968); Scenes and Prophecies for Soprano, Chorus, Brass, and Percussion (1968–69); several a cappella choruses, including 9 Motets (1952), Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis (1964), and Missa sine Credo (1969); songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis Mclntire