Hereford and the Three Choirs Festival George Robertson Sinclair

metamorphosis of dan – sinclair , dog dan famously inseparable

in 1889, langdon colborne, organist of hereford cathedral died, , sinclair appointed succeed him. in profile of him in musical times in october 1900, anonymous author wrote:

he conducted last 4 hereford musical festivals – 1891, 1894, 1897, , 1900 – conspicuous success. through persevering energy sum of £2,300 raised re-build cathedral organ, work being carried out father willis. ouseley memorial window, prominent feature in cathedral, largely due exertions, , influence on musical life of hereford , neighbourhood great , beneficial progress of art in fertile region.

as organist, accompanist, , solo player dr. sinclair occupies high place in technical attainment , sympathetic feeling.

in 1900 sinclair appointed conductor of birmingham festival choral society, 1 of members drew caricature of sinclair , bulldog dan, whom inseparable, , attended rehearsals. sinclair s friend edward elgar depicted dan in enigma variations. eleventh variation, in g minor, allegro di molto headed g.r.s. portrays dan falling river wye and, in elgar s words, paddling upstream find landing place; , rejoicing bark on landing. g.r.s. said, set music . did; here is. variation depicts sinclair s impetuous character , skilful organ pedalling.

at hereford, sinclair chief conductor of 3 choirs festivals of 1891, 1894, 1897, 1900, 1903, 1906, 1909 , 1912. modernised repertoire of festivals, introducing music of peripheral religious relevance, including parsifal, , of wholly secular character, such tchaikovsky s pathétique symphony. in country still suspicious of roman catholicism, sinclair programmed verdi s requiem, , made considerable success in 1900. he, elgar , stanford , soloists, sent telegram aged composer reporting una recita splendida del requiem festival di hereford .

sinclair died in birmingham, aged 53, after conducting rehearsal.