Basil Maine
Basil Stephen Maine was born on 4 March 1894 in Norwich (England). He was educated at the City of Norwich School and studied music with Edward Dent, Cyril Rootham and Charles Wood at the Queens's College in Cambridge. After taking his degree he became music and mathematics master at Durnford in 1917. In the autumn of 1918 he was appointed assistant organist at Durham Cathedral, staying there until May 1919.
After that he shifted his career towards journalism, becoming music critic for newspapers such as The Spectator, The Daily Telegraph, the Morning Post and the Sunday Times. But Basil Maine also wrote important books on musical themes. His "Elgar: his life and work" was the first biography written about the composer, penned down while Elgar was still alive and in cooperation with the famous composer. Other biographies followed about Chopin, Paderewski and Kind Edward VIII as well as writings on his fellow music critics (Behold these Daniels), the BBC and general music topics (New Paths in Music).
Basil Maine also had a significant histrionic talent. Together with his musical education this made him an outstanding choice for compositions in which the speaking-voice was combined with music. He showed this mastery as the orator in the world premiere of Arthur Bliss symphony "Morning Hoeroes" in 1930. He also was the narrator in the first English performance of Stravinsky's "The Soldier's Tale" and performed in such works like Honegger's "Le Roi David", "Facade" by William Walton or "Ode to Great Men" by Cyril Scott. Beyond that Basil Maine was also broadcaster for the BBC in the 1920s.
As a man of many talents Basil Maine became an ordained priest in 1939 and became rector of the parish of Beaumont-cum-Moze. He was also often invited to festivals to preach sermons.
One of his lesser known activities is as a composer. Only two handful of his works were published, mostly in the 1930s. He did continue to composer throughout his lifetime as one can see from the works in my archive, but today Basil Maine is best remembered as a writer and narrator.
Basil Maine died on 13 October 1972 in Sheringham (England).
In my possession is a small part of the musical estate of Basil Maine, the one that refers to the composer. That means I own several music manuscripts of his compositions as well as a few additional letters and personal documents. To get an overview about the items in my archive, please check the following finding aid:
Basil Maine did not compose much in his life and even less is published. For that reason I would like to present several of his unpublished compositions here for information purpose:
1) Laud and Honour, for organ
The work "Laud and Honour, for organ" was composed in September 1971. It is dedicated to Gordon Paget, reverend at the St. Edmundsbury Cathedral.
2) Action and Honour, for orchestra
The work "Action and Honour" was composed in 1959 and is subtitled "Concert march for full orchestra". It is dedicated to Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
3) Valse Serenade, for orchestra
The work "Valse serenade for concert orchestra" was composed in 1963. It is dedicated to Her Royal Highness the Princess Margaret.
