Considered by many the last great English Romantic composer the Herbert Howells Blue plaque marks a place of immense musical history. It commemorates Herbert Howells. He was a composer and teacher. He lived here at 3 Beverley Close, Barnes from 1946 to 1983.
The Herbert Howells Blue plaque was erected in 2011. English Heritage put it up. This shows the importance of Howells’ legacy. The inscription clearly states his name and his profession. It also notes the years he resided here.
Herbert Howells was born in Lydney in Gloucestershire in 1892. He was the youngest of eight children. His father was a painter and decorator. Financial struggles deeply affected Howells. His father’s bankruptcy in 1905 caused him lifelong worry about money.
In 1909, Howells began studying at Gloucester Cathedral. He was an articled pupil to the organist. He studied alongside Ivor Gurney and Ivor Novello. Here, in 1910, he experienced Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis. This had a profound influence on him.
Howells won an Open Scholarship in Composition to the Royal College of Music in 1912. He studied there until 1917. His greatest teacher was Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. Shortly after arriving at the RCM, his Mass in the Dorian Mode was performed at Westminster Cathedral.
In 1916, Howells fell seriously ill. He was diagnosed with Graves’ Disease. He could not continue as assistant organist at Salisbury Cathedral. Instead, he edited Tudor church music at Westminster Cathedral.
By 1920, his health improved. He joined the teaching staff of the Royal College of Music. He married Dorothy Dawe. They had two children: Ursula and Michael. Michael died tragically young in 1935 of polio. Grief-stricken, Howells began writing Hymnus paradisi in memory of his son.
Completed in 1938, Hymnus paradisi wasn’t performed until 1950. Today, it is acknowledged as his masterpiece. In 1936, Howells succeeded Gustav Holst. He became Director of Music at St Paul’s Girls’ School, Hammersmith. He remained there until 1962.
During World War II, he was acting organist of St John’s College, Cambridge. This inspired him to compose canticle settings. These settings included Collegium Regale in 1945 for King’s College, Cambridge. Also, the Gloucester service in 1946 and the St Paul’s Cathedral service in 1951.
From 1950 to 1964, Howells lectured as King Edward VII Professor of Music at the University of London. During these years, he wrote Missa Sabrinensis in 1954 and Stabat Mater in 1965. Howells was awarded the CBE in 1953. He received many honorary degrees. He was appointed Companion of Honour in 1972.
After becoming a widower in 1972, Howells struggled. He found it hard to find a new type of existence. He continued to teach composition at the Royal College of Music. His last public appearance was in October 1982. It was at a gala concert celebrating his ninetieth birthday. He died on 23rd February 1983. He spent his final weeks at the Cintra Nursing Home in Putney.
Andrew Millinger from the Herbert Howells Society said his music had a profound effect on people. Susan Skedd, an English Heritage historian, noted Howells was mindful of architecture. He considered the building in which his music would be performed. The Herbert Howells Blue plaque marks the home where many of his best-loved works were written. It ensures his legacy lives on.