Harold Craxton

Thomas Harold Hunt Craxton, OBE (30 April 1885 – 30 March 1971) was an English pianist and composer.

Craxton studied piano at the Tobias Matthay Pianoforte School and made a name for himself early in his career as an accompanist with performers such as Dame Nellie Melba, Dame Clara Butt, Lionel Tertis and John McCormack.

In 1919 he became a professor at the Royal Academy of Music. He remained there until 1961, although he continued teaching from his studio long into his later years. Some notable students included Winifred Atwell, Joyce Howard Barrell, Howard Brown, Elaine Hugh-Jones, Alexander Kelly, Denis Matthews, Noel Mewton-Wood, A A Owen, and Alan Richardson.

Craxton was also an active composer. His first published work was the "Three Pieces for Pianoforte" (1911). Some of his songs were recorded by John McCormack and Lauritz Melchior. He also collected musical compositions in association with Alfred Edward Moffat.

Craxton and his wife Essie had one daughter and five sons, including the artist John Craxton, the BBC Television Producer Antony Craxton and the distinguished oboist Janet Craxton.

Craxton died aged 85 in 1971.

Birth and Death Data: Born April 30, 1885, Died March 30, 1971 (London)

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1914 - 1928

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, piano

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor B-15420 10-in. 11/23/1914 Mavis John McCormack Tenor vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Victor B-23758 10-in. 3/4/1920 Beneath the moon of Lombardy John McCormack Tenor vocal solo, with violin duet and orchestra composer  
Victor BVE-40167 10-in. 10/11/1927 Beloved, I am lonely John McCormack Tenor vocal solo, with piano composer  
Columbia 47456 10-in. 4/3/1917 Mavis Ruby Helder Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 37234 12-in. 3/25/1915 Mavis Reed Miller Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 69144 10-in. approximately 1918 The silver ring Clara Butt ; Harold Craxton instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 74093 12-in. 5/9/1920 Sonata in D minor : Andante cantabile Harold Craxton ; J. Salmon Cello solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 74094 12-in. 5/9/1920 Sonata in G major : Vilanelle Harold Craxton ; J. Salmon Cello solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 75492 12-in. approximately 1917 Mavis Hubert Eisdell Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Columbia 76025 12-in. approximately 1918 A hymn for aviators Clara Butt ; Harold Craxton Female vocal solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Columbia 76026 12-in. approximately 1917 Daddy Clara Butt ; Harold Craxton Female vocal solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Brunswick 3608 10-in. approximately Feb. 1920 Mavis Theo Karle Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 4046 10-in. 8/17/1915 Mavis Hardy Williamson Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 4595 10-in. 3/20/1916 Mavis James Harrod Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 6154 10-in. between 5/1/1918 and 5/7/1918 Sorrow no more Helen Clark Female vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison 18743 10-in. 9/20/1928 Mavis Frank Munn Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Edison N-446 12-in. 9/20/1928 Mavis Frank Munn Male vocal solo, with orchestra composer  
Gramophone Bb978 10-in. 2/6/1922 Slavonic dance no. 1 in G minor Jacques Thibaud Violin solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Gramophone Bb979 10-in. 2/6/1922 Sérénité Harold Craxton ; Jacques Thibaud Violin solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Gramophone Bb982 10-in. 2/7/1922 Moment musical Harold Craxton ; Jacques Thibaud Violin solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  
Gramophone Bb983 10-in. 2/7/1922 Tambourin Harold Craxton ; Jacques Thibaud Violin solo, with piano instrumentalist, piano  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Craxton, Harold," accessed June 2, 2023, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104526.

Craxton, Harold. (2023). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved June 2, 2023, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104526.

"Craxton, Harold." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2023. Web. 2 June 2023.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104526

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