Clement Harris (1871-1897)
Scores

MSS 0239

Biographical Note

Clement Hugh Gilbert Harris was an English pianist and composer who studied in Germany and died fighting in the Greco-Turkish War of 1897.

He was born in London and educated at Harrow School. He subsequently studied music in Frankfurt, where he was a piano pupil of Clara Schumann. He became intimate friends with Siegfried Wagner and in 1892, undertook a trip to the Far East in Wagner's company. During the voyage, he sketched his symphonic poem Paradise Lost, after Milton, and helped Siegfried Wagner to choose a composing and conducting career rather than as an architect.

An enthusiastic admirer of Greek culture, he was travelling in Greece at the outbreak of the Greco-Turkish war and subsequently organized his own battalion of mercenaries to fight on the Greek side. He was killed at Pente Pigadia on 23 April 1897 at the age of 25. Harris's death was commemorated by the poet Stefan George in the poem 'Pente Pigadia' in his collection Der Siebente Ring. In 1922–23 Siegfried Wagner composed the symphonic poem Glück as a memorial to Harris.

Clement Harris's works included pieces for piano, including Il Pensieroso and L'Allegro after Milton, romances for violin and piano and clarinet, cello and piano, and songs.

Adapted from Wikipedia

Contents Listing

The following scores were transferred from the Elder Music Library in 2017.

1. Fairies’ Farewell [Song]
Words: Clement Harris
Voice and piano –8 p. MS plus title page bound
Voice and piano –additional or encore verse 6 p. MS plus title page bound
Words: whole song – 2 p. typed plus title page plus cover bound

2. Though he slay me: sacred song
Words: Psalm 34: 8.
Voice and keyboard –6 p. MS
Voice and keyboard –3 p. MS
Voice and keyboard –3 p. MS
Choral version of parts -2 p. MS
Voice only – 1 p. MS

3. Next Door: humorous song
Words: Clement Harris
Voice and keyboard –3 p. MS plus cover

Ashleigh Tobin
2017