Ruth Gipps

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Ruth Dorothy Louisa ("Wid") Gipps

Composers' Guild of Great Britain.[4]

She was appointed a

Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 1981 Birthday Honours for services to music.[5]

Life and career

Early life and education

Gipps was born at 14 Parkhurst Road, Bexhill-on-Sea, England in 1921 to (Gerard Cardew) Bryan Gipps (1877–1956), a businessman, English teacher in Germany, and later an official at the Board of Trade who was a trained violinist from a military family, and Hélène Bettina (née Johner), a piano teacher from Basel, Switzerland. They married in 1907, having met at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt, where Hélène had trained and went on to teach, and where Bryan had gone against his family's wishes to study the violin.[6]

Ruth Gipps had two elder siblings, Ernest Bryan

First World War in 1914, the family was in the then unusual position of a middle-class household's mother being the main provider, which along with Hélène's idiosyncrasies attracted some attention. The family home was the Bexhill School of Music, of which Hélène was principal.[11][2] Eventually becoming an official at the Board of Trade, her father was also the senior heir, via his mother, Louisa Goulburn Thomas, to the Carmarthenshire and Kent property of Richard Thomas, of Hollingbourne, near Maidstone, Kent, and of Cystanog, High Sheriff of Carmarthenshire in 1788.[12]

Ruth was a

guinea and a half. Winning a concerto competition with the Hastings Municipal Orchestra began her performance career in earnest.[13]

In 1937, she entered the Royal College of Music,[1] where she studied oboe with Léon Goossens, piano with Arthur Alexander and composition with Gordon Jacob, and later with Ralph Vaughan Williams. Several of her works were first performed there. Continuing her studies at Durham University led her to meet her future husband, clarinettist Robert Baker.[14] At age 26, for her work The Cat she became the youngest British woman to receive a doctorate in music.[15]

Professional career

Ruth Gipps was an accomplished all-round musician, as a soloist on both oboe and piano as well as a prolific composer. Her repertoire included works such as

City of Birmingham Orchestra as a piano soloist while also, in the same program, performing in her own Symphony No. 1 on cor anglais under the baton of George Weldon.[18]

Supposed Discrimination

Gipps' early career was supposedly affected by [discrimination]. Because of this supposed opposition, she is thought to have developed a tough personality that many found off-putting, and a fierce determination to prove herself through her work.[19]

Conducting and orchestral work

She founded the

Sir Arthur Bliss in which the cellist Julian Lloyd Webber made his professional debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall
.

Teaching positions

Later she would take faculty posts at

Composers' Guild of Great Britain.[4]

Retirement and death

In London, her address was 20 Heathcote Road,

horn player and orchestrator and brass teacher.[24]

Music

Stylistically, Gipps was a

Proms nor broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in her lifetime.[27]

Works

Orchestra

  • Symphonies
    • Symphony No. 1 in F minor, Op. 22 (1942)
    • Symphony No. 2 (in One Movement), Op. 30 (1945)
    • Symphony No. 3, Op. 57 (1965)
    • Symphony No. 4, Op. 61 (1972)
    • Symphony No. 5, Op. 64 (1982)
  • Variations on Byrd's "Non nobis", for small orchestra, Op. 7 (1942)
  • Knight in Armour, tone poem, Op. 8 (1942)
  • Sea Nymph, ballet for small orchestra (or for two pianos), Op. 14 (1941 ?)
  • Death on a Pale Horse, tone poem, Op. 25 (1943)
  • Chanticleer Overture, Op. 28 (1944)
  • The Chinese Cabinet Suite for orchestra, Op. 29 (1945)
  • Mahomet and the Cat, Op. 32 (1947)
  • Song for Orchestra, Op. 33 (1948)
  • Cringlemire Garden, Impression for String Orchestra, Op. 39 (1952)
  • Coronation Procession for orchestra, Op. 41 (1953)
  • Pageant Overture The Rainbow, Op. 44 (1954)
  • Ambarvalia for small orchestra, Op. 70 (1988)

Concertante

  • Piano Concerto in G minor, Op. 34 (1948)
  • Violin Concerto in B-flat major, Op. 24 (1943)
  • Jane Grey, Fantasy for Viola and String Orchestra (or piano), Op. 15 (1940)
  • Introduction and Carol: The Ox and the Ass for Double Bass and Chamber Orchestra, Op. 71 (1996)
  • Oboe Concerto in D minor, Op. 20 (1941)
  • Threnody for English Horn, Strings and Harp (1990)
  • Clarinet Concerto, Op. 9 (1940)
  • Leviathan for Contra-Bassoon and Chamber Orchestra, Op. 59 (1969)
  • Horn Concerto, Op. 58 (1968)
  • Double Concerto for Violin, Viola and Small Orchestra, Op. 49 (1957)

Chamber music

  • Chamois for 2 Violins and Piano, Op. 3c (1939)
  • Trio for Oboe, Clarinet and Piano, Op. 10 (1940)
  • Suite for 2 Violins, Op. 12d (1940)
  • Elephant God for Clarinet and Percussion, Op. 12e (1940)
  • Sabrina, String Quartet in one movement, Op. 13 (1940)
  • Quintet for Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, Viola and Cello, Op. 16 (1941)
  • Piano Quartet Brocade, Op. 17 (1941)
  • Rhapsody in E♭ for Clarinet Quintet, Op. 23 (1942)
  • Scherzo: The Three Billy Goats Gruff for Oboe, Horn, and Bassoon, Op. 27b
  • String Quartet, Op. 47 (1956)
  • Seascape for 10 Winds, Op. 53 (1958)
  • A Tarradiddle for 2 Horns, Op. 54 (1959)
  • Wind Octet for 2 Oboes, 2 Clarinets, 2 Bassoons and 2 Horns, Op. 65 (1983)
  • Sinfonietta for 10 Winds and Percussion, Op. 73 (1989)
  • The Pony Cart for Flute, Horn and Piano, Op. 75 (1990)
  • A Wealden Suite, Quartet for E♭, B♭, A and Bass Clarinets, Op. 76 (1991)
  • Pan and Apollo for 2 Oboes, English Horn and Harp, Op. 78 (1992)

Instrumental

  • Strings
    • Rhapsody for Violin and Piano, Op. 27a (1943)
    • Violin Sonata, Op. 42 (1954)
    • Evocation for Violin and Piano, Op. 48 (1956)
    • Lyric Fantasy for Viola and Piano, Op. 46 (1955)
    • Scherzo and Adagio for Cello Solo, Op. 68 (1987)
    • Cello Sonata, Op. 63 (1978)
    • Double-Bass Sonata, Op. 81 (1986)
  • Woodwinds
    • Pixie Caravan for Flute and Piano (1939)
    • Rowan for Flute and Piano (1940)
    • The Saint Francis Window for Alto Flute and Piano, Op. 67 (1986)
    • Cool Running Water for Bass Flute and Piano, Op. 77 (1991)
    • Kensington Garden Suite for Oboe and Piano, Op. 2 (1938)
    • Sea-Shore Suite for Oboe and Piano, Op. 3b (1939)
    • Oboe Sonata No. 1 in G minor, Op. 5 (1939)
    • The Piper of Dreams for Oboe Solo, Op. 12b (1940)
    • Oboe Sonata No. 2, Op. 66 (1985)
    • Sea-Weed Song for English Horn and Piano, Op. 12c (1940)
    • Threnody for English Horn and Piano (or Organ), Op. 74 (1990)
    • The Kelpie Of Corrievreckan for Clarinet and Piano, Op. 5b (1939)
    • Clarinet Sonata, Op. 45 (1955)
    • Prelude for Bass Clarinet Solo (or B♭ Clarinet), Op. 51 (1958)
    • Honey-Coloured Cow for bassoon and piano, Op. 3d (1938)
  • Brass
    • The Riders of Rohan for Trombone and Piano (1987)
    • Horn Sonatina, Op. 56 (1960)
    • Triton for Horn and Piano, Op. 60 (1970)
    • Trombone (or Horn) Sonata, Op. 80 (1995)

Piano

  • The Fairy Shoemaker (1929)
  • Sea Nymph, ballet for small orchestra (or for two pianos), Op. 14 (1941 ?)
  • Conversation for 2 Pianos, Op. 36 (1950)
  • Theme and Variations, Op. 57a (1965) (transcription of Symphony No. 3, third movement)
  • Opalescence, Op. 72 (1989)

Choral

  • Mazeppa's Ride for Female Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 1
  • The Cat, Cantata for Alto, Baritone, Double Mixed Chorus and Orchestra, Op. 32 (1947)
  • Goblin Market for 2 Sopranos, Female Chorus and String Orchestra (or Piano), Op. 40 (1953)
  • An Easter Carol for Soprano, Mixed Chorus and Piano or Organ, Op. 52 (1958)
  • Magnificat and Nunc dimittis for Mixed Chorus and Organ, Op. 55 (1959)
  • Gloria in excelsis for Unison Chorus and Organ, Op. 62 (1977)
  • A Service for Holy Communion for Mixed Chorus and Organ, Op. 62a (1974)

Vocal

  • Four Baritone Songs for Baritone and Piano, Op. 4b (1939)
  • Heaven for High Voice and Piano (1939)
  • Four Songs of Youth for Tenor and Piano (1940)
  • Two Songs for Soprano and Piano, Op. 11 (1940)
  • Rhapsody for Wordless Soprano and Small Orchestra, Op. 18
  • Ducks for Soprano, Flute, Cello and Piano, Op. 19 (1941)
  • The Song of the Narcissus for Soprano and Piano, Op. 37 (1951)
  • Three Incantations for Soprano and Harp, Op. 50 (1957)
  • The Lady of the Lambs for Soprano and Wind Quintet, Op. 79 (1992)

Discography

Recordings of the music of Ruth Gipps include:

  • Cello Sonata, Theme & Variations for piano, Opalescence, Double Bass Sonata. Joseph Spooner (cello), David Heyes (double bass), Duncan Honeybourne (piano). Prima Facie (2021)[28]
  • Clarinet Sonata, Quintet for Oboe, Clarinet and String Trio, Op. 16. Peter Cigleris (clarinet), Gareth Hulse (oboe), Duncan Honeybourne (piano), Tippett Quartet. SOMM (2021)[29]
  • Clarinet Concerto, Op. 9. Robert Plane, BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, cond. Martyn Brabbins, 2020[30]
  • Cringlemire Garden, Op. 39. Southwest German Chamber Orchestra, Douglas Bostock, CPO Records 2021 (with collection of other British string works)
  • Horn Concerto, Op. 58. David Pyatt (horn), London Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Nicholas Braithwaite, Lyrita, 2007[31]
  • Octet for Wind, Op. 65 (2nd movement), Pan and Apollo, Op. 78. Members of BBC National Orchestra of Wales, broadcast 12/3/2021
  • Piano Concerto, Op. 34, Theme and Variations for piano, Op. 57a, Opalescence, Op. 72. Angela Brownridge (piano), Malta Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Michael Laus, Cameo Classics, 2014[32]
  • Piano Concerto, Op. 34, Ambarvalia, Op. 70. Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Charles Peebles, soloist Murray McLachlan (2019).[33]
  • Seascape, Op. 53, Sinfonietta, Op. 73. Erie County Chamber Winds conducted by Rick Fleming. Mark Records, 2013
  • Symphony No 2, Op. 30. Munich Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Douglas Bostock, ClassicO, 1999[34]
  • Symphony No 2, Op. 30, Symphony No 4. Op. 61, Knight in Armour, Op. 8, Song for Orchestra, Op. 33. BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Rumon Gamba, Chandos, 2018[35]
  • Symphony No 3, Oboe Concerto, Chanticleer, Death on the Pale Horse. BBC National Orchestra of Wales, conducted by Rumon Gamba, Chandos, 2022[36]
  • Symphony No 3, Op. 57. BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra conducted by Ruth Gipps, broadcast 29 October 1969
  • Symphony No 3, Op. 57. BBC Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Rumon Gamba, broadcast 9 October 2020
  • Symphony No 5, Op. 64. London Repertoire Orchestra, conducted by Ruth Gipps, recording of a performance given in 1983.
  • Violin Sonata, Op. 42, Rhapsody for violin and piano, Op.27a (1943), Evocation, Op.48 (1956). Patrick Wastnage (violin), Elizabeth Dunn (piano).Guild GMCD7827 (2022)[37]

References

  1. ^ a b Foreman, Lewis (2 March 1999). "Obituary: Ruth Gipps". The Independent. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  2. ^
    ISBN 978-0-7546-0178-4. Archived from the original
    on 30 August 2015. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  3. ^ https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/gipps-ruth-1921
  4. ^ a b c The Musical Times, vol. 140, no. 1867 (Summer 1999), pp. 8–9
  5. ^ UK list: "No. 48639". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 1981. p. 13.
  6. ISBN 978-0-19-861412-8. (Subscription or UK public library membership
    required.)
  7. ^ "BBC Programme Index". BBC Programme Index. BBC. 25 January 1939. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  8. ^ "Bookplate for musician Ernest Bryan Gipps". Rooke Books. Retrieved 4 July 2023.
  9. ^ "Gipps tree – Canterbury History". www.canterbury-archaeology.org.uk. Archived from the original on 26 November 2021.
  10. ^ "GIPPS, George I (?1729–1800), of Harbledown, nr. Canterbury, Kent. | History of Parliament Online".
  11. ^ "'Remarkable' story of Dr Ruth Gipps", The Times, 26 May 1967, p. 9
  12. ^ The Transactions of the Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, The Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion, 1979, p. 92
  13. ^ "Oxford Dictionary of National Biography". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  14. ^ Johnson, Bret (30 March 1999). "Ruth Gipps obituary". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  15. ^ Christ, Peter. "Little Tunes for the Big Bassoon", Crystal Records Inc. (1997). Compact Disk Folder.
  16. ISBN 978-0-7546-0178-4
    .
  17. ^ a b "Foreman, Lewis (2018): Notes to Chandos recording CH20078" (PDF). Chandos.net. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  18. ^ Gunderson, Finn S. Chandos Records Ltd. 2018. Audio Recording Booklet.
  19. ^ C. Pluygers: "Discrimination … the Career and Struggle for Recognition of Dr Ruth Gipps", Winds (1992), pp. 14–15
  20. ^ "LRO History – London Repertoire Orchestra". Londonrepertoireorchestra.org.uk. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  21. doi:10.1080/07494469400640781
    .
  22. JSTOR 766078
    .
  23. ^ "Ruth Gipps by David Heyes (recital music)". Liuzzivito.blogspot.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  24. ^ Musical Opinion, vol. 92, 1968, p. 641
  25. ^ "Ruth Gipps: Symphonies Nos 2 & 4; Knight in Armour; Song for Orchestra".
  26. ^ Blevins, Pamela. Ruth Gipps and Sir Arthur Bliss (2005)
  27. ^ Duchen, Jessica. "In the Proms spotlight at last — music's forgotten greats". Times. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  28. ^ Opalescence, PFCD171
  29. ^ SOMMCD0641 (2021)
  30. ^ "Reawakened". Robertplane.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  31. ^ "British Horn Concertos SRCD316 [JQ]: Classical CD Reviews – May 2007 MusicWeb-International". Musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  32. ^ "Leighton & Gipps Piano concertos – Cameo Classics CC9046CD [PCG] Classical Music Reviews: April 2014 – MusicWeb-International". Musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  33. ^ Piano Concertos by Dora Bright and Ruth Gipps, liner notes, SOMMCD 273
  34. ^ "Classical CD Reviews- June 1999 Butterworth Symphony No 1/ Gipps Symphony No. 2". Musicweb-international.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  35. ^ "Chandos Records". Chandos Records. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  36. ^ "Chandos Records". Chandos Records. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
  37. ^ Guild GMCD7827, reviewed at MusicWeb International

Further reading

External links
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ruth_Gipps&oldid=1219657276"