W. O. Forsyth

Wesley Octavius Forsyth (January 26, 1859 – May 7, 1937) was a Canadian pianist, composer and music educator based in Toronto, Ontario. Most of his compositions were written for the piano and voice.

Early life and education

Forsyth was born in Markham Township, York County, Canada West. As a child Forsyth studied piano with Edward Fisher (musician). As a young man he studied at the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig He made his debut that year as a solo pianist, but did not achieve success as an instrumental performer, and returned to Toronto to teach. In 1892 he travelled to Vienna and Ischl to study with Julius Epstein

In the 1890s he wrote music reviews and other articles for the publications The Musician and The Week.

By 1913 his compositions had been published internationally, By 1923, his pupils had formed a "Forsyth Club", and a number of his works were performed on the radio.

Select works

"Love took me softly by the hand" : op. 30, no. 2 "Showers are falling" "The homelight" Prelude and fugue : no. 1 in C minor : for the organ", op. 18 "No. 2 : Song of the silver night (romance)" 'Frülingsabend = Spring evening : Alt oder Mezzo-Sopran mit Pianofortebegleitung", op. 16, no. 2 "Through enchanting meadows", op. 54