Algernon Bennet Langton Ashton (9 December 1859 – 10 April 1937) was a British composer, pianist, and Professor of piano at theRoyal College of Music 1884–1910.[1][2][3][4]
Ashton was born inDurham. He studied at theLeipzig Conservatory as a pupil ofCarl Reinecke andTheodor Coccius. He later studied atHoch Conservatory in Frankfurt underJoachim Raff.[5]
He was a prolific composer in many instrumental genres. His published works exceeded 160, but there were many other unpublished works, some of which are lost. These included five symphonies, a piano concerto, a violin concerto,24 piano sonatas, one in each key, and 24 string quartets along the same lines. The orchestral version of hisThree English Dances was heard atThe Proms in October 1912.[6] Modern recordings of four of the highly virtuosic piano sonatas and two cello sonatas have been released.[7] TheTarantella for clarinet, Op. 107, has also been recorded.[8]
In later years he became well known for his many letters to English newspapers concerning the upkeep of the graves of distinguished people.[5]These letters were published in two volumes -Truth Wit and Wisdom andMore Truth Wit and Wisdom published byChapman & Hall.
Ashton was also well known for keeping a daily diary for the majority of his life from the age of 15 running to some 58 volumes. The diaries and the unpublished works are believed to have been destroyed duringthe Blitz when his family home was hit by German bombs.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Academics | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
| Other | |
