Recordings/Discussions
Background Information
Performer Bios

Poet/Composer Bios

Additional Information

Biographies of Performers: Main Page | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Explanation | Acronyms | Missing Biographies | The Sad Corner


Keith Falkner (Bass-Baritone)

Born: March 1, 1900 - Sawston, Cambridgeshire, England
Died: May 17, 1994 - Bungay, Suffolk, England

The English bass-baritone and pedagogue, Sir (Donald) Keith Falkner, studied at New College in Oxford, Ppurse School in Cambridge, and Royal College of Music in London. He also studied with with Harry Plunkett Greene in London, Theodore Lierhammer in Vienna, Ernst Grenzebach in Berlin, and Dossert in Paris, Alberto Garcia, and Hugh Allen. In 1917-1918 he was a pilot at the Royal Naval Ait Service (RNAS).

From 1923 to 1946 Keith Falkner was active as a professional singer, mainly as a concert singer. He often appeared in oratorios: J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244) and George Frideric Handel's Alexander Feast among his recordings.

From 1940 to 1945 Keith Falkner was Squadron at the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve (RAFVR). After World War II, he served as Music Officar at the British Council in Italy (1946-1950). Afterwords he served as visiting professor (1950-1951), associate professor (1951-1956), and professor (1956-1960) at the Cornell University. He was director of the Royal College of Music in London from 1960 to 1974. From 1981 to 1983 he was joint artistic director of the Kings Lion Festival. In 1974 he was knighted.

Publications: Voice (in Menuhin's series of guide books for young musicians).
Honours: Honorary Royal Academy of Music (RAM), FGSM, Fellow, Trinity College of Music, London; Hon D Mus, (Oxford); Humane Society Medal, for Life Saving at Sea; Vice-President, Royal College of Music; Vice-President, The Bach Choir.
Hobbies: golf, cricket, squash racquets, walking, reading.
Keith Falkner married Christabel Margaret Fullard in 1930, and had two daughters.

Source: Baker’s Biographical Dictionary of 20th Century Classical Musicians (1997); OPERAlmanc Mailing List (March 2003); International Who's Who in Music & Musicians' Directory (13th Edition, 1992/93)
Contributed by
Aryeh Oron (October 2004)

Recordings of Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Conductor

As

Works

Lawrance Collingwood

Bass

Arias from BWV 205, BWV 244

Serge Koussevitzky

Bass

BWV 244

Links to other Sites

   

Bibliography

Julia Falkner: "Keith Falkner--'Ich habe genug': A Biography" (Thames, 1998). Buy this book at: Amazon.com


Biographies of Performers: Main Page | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z
Explanation | Acronyms | Missing Biographies | The Sad Corner




 

Back to the Top


Last update: Monday, May 29, 2017 04:08