Hugh Blair

Hugh Blair (25 May 1864, Worcester – 22 July 1932, Worthing) was an English musician, composer and organist.

Early life Born in Worcester, Hugh Blair was the son of Rev. Robert Hugh Blair, who founded Worcester College for the Blind in 1866.

A chorister at Worcester Cathedral (under William Done) and a pupil at King's School, Worcester, Blair was organ scholar (1883 ).

Career

Blair returned to Worcester Cathedral as Assistant Organist (1887–89), Organist-in-Charge (1889–95) and Organist (1895–97).

Blair also gave the first performance of Elgar's Organ Sonata in G on 8 July 1895, having asked Elgar to write an organ voluntary for the visit of some American organists to Worcester. The work's opening theme is reminiscent of a theme from The Black Knight.

Blair directed the Three Choirs Festivals of 1893 and 1896. In 1896, Blair conducted the Festival's first performance of the Verdi Requiem, and the premières of his own cantata Blessed are they who watch and Elgar's oratorio The Light of Life (Lux Christi).

Blair resigned as organist at Worcester Cathedral in June 1897. He was appointed organist at Holy Trinity Church, Marylebone in 1898, and served as Director of Music of the Borough of Battersea (1900–04), overseeing the installation of the organ at Battersea Town Hall in 1901.

Blair also worked for the publishing firm Novello & Co,

Selected works Worcester Cathedral Library contains copies of his compositions. His Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in B minor for double choir is still performed and recorded. Kevin Allen lists seven sets of Canticles, a Short Sonata in G major for organ (1903) and a Piano Trio in D minor amongst his compositions.

Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in B minor (1887) — Advent Cantata "Blessed are they who watch" (1894) Meditation in F (1905) — Milton Suite for Organ (1917) —