William Henry Holmes (musician)

William Henry Holmes (or W. H. Holmes; 8 January 1812 – 23 April 1885) was an English pianist and composer, and a teacher at the Royal Academy of Music.

Life

He was born in Sudbury, Derbyshire in 1812, son of a musician. He entered the Royal Academy of Music in 1822, the year it opened, and he gained two of the first medals given by the Academy, for composition and the piano. He became Sub-professor at the academy in 1826, and later Professor of the Piano, remaining in the post for more than fifty years. His pupils included William Sterndale Bennett, George Alexander Macfarren, Walter Cecil Macfarren and James William Davison.^{[1] [2]}

He performed as a virtuoso pianist for many years. He composed symphonies, concertos, sonatas, songs and an opera.^[1]

He died in 1885, and was buried at Brompton Cemetery.^[2]

References

1. "Holmes, William Henry". A Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1900), via Wikisource.
2. "William Henry Holmes. Died April 23, 1885.". The Musical World. 63 (18): 277. May 2, 1885 – via RIPM. (subscription required (help)).