Havergal Brian (1876 - 1972), musician and composer

A portrait of Havergal Brian.

Born in Dresden, Stoke-on-Trent, Brian learned to play the violin, cello and piano at an early age. He later paid for lessons by playing the organ at local churches. He began his career as a composer at the age of eleven. His adaptation of Shakespeare’s Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day provided him with his first major success.

This was followed in 1907 with an appearance at a promenade concert with Sir Henry Wood. Brian fell into obscurity until 1966 when his Gothic Symphony was conducted by Sir Adrian Boult at the Royal Albert Hall.