Taylor, Franklin
- George Grove
- , revised by Jean Mary Allan
Extract
(b Birmingham, Feb 5, 1843; d London, March 19, 1919). English pianist and teacher. He showed his musical talent at an early age, and when only 13 was appointed organist at the Old Meeting Place, Birmingham, having studied the organ with Bedsmore, organist at Lichfield Cathedral. His first piano teacher was Charles Flavell, and from 1859 to 1861 he studied at the Leipzig Conservatory with Plaidy and Moscheles as well as Hauptmann, E.F.E. Richter and Papperitz (harmony and composition). However, he was not particularly gifted as a composer. In 1861 he went to Paris to work under Clara Schumann and became an enthusiastic exponent of her method and manner of playing. In 1862 he returned to London, where he soon became renowned as a soloist and teacher. He often played at the Crystal Palace concerts (from 1865) and the Monday Popular Concerts (from 1866). Returning to his early love of the organ, he held the post of organist in several London churches in succession....
