Arthur Massey (composer)

Australian organist, teacher and composer

For the British doctor, see Arthur Massey (doctor).

Arthur Massey

Arthur Massey in 1903 and 1922

Background information
Born| (1861-02-01)1 February 1861
Mudgee, New South Wales, Australia
Died| 10 August 1950(1950-08-10) (aged 89)
Occupation(s)| Composer, teacher, conductor
Instrument(s)| organ, piano
Years active| 1885–1935

Musical artist

A Child This Day is Born

MIDI file of 'A Child This Day Is Born'[1][2]

* * *

Problems playing this file? See media help.

Arthur Massey (1861 – 10 August 1950) was an Australian organist,[3] teacher,[4] conductor[5] and composer.[6]

## History

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Massey was born in Mudgee, New South Wales, the second of five sons of Joseph Richard Massey, aka Joseph Massey sen. (July 1827 – 14 February 1900) and Mary Massey, ne Patrick (c. 1835–1898). His paternal grandparents were Joseph and Sarah Massey who emigrated from London to Sydney aboard Richard Reynolds, arriving 14 August 1833.[7] He had four brothers, all organists: Joseph jun., Arthur, Edward and Thomas, as were two grandsons: Victor and Noel Massey (further information at Joseph Massey sen.)

## Career

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Massey was organist at St John's, Parramatta (now St John's Cathedral) in the 1880s and accepted a teaching position at The King's School, Parramatta in 1886.[8]

In 1887 Massey founded a Liedertafel in Parramatta[9] and acted as its conductor.

Massey served as organist at St John's Church of England in Glebe in the early 1900s before being appointed organist and choirmaster at St Clement's Church of England, Mosman, from 1903 to 1917.[10]

He died in Manly, New South Wales.

## Works

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* Eleven Christmas Carols[11] (of which ten are original settings)[12]
* Sweet Lavender Gavotte
* The Voice of the Organ
* Love's Delight (song in waltz time, with words by B. A. Withers)[13]

## References

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1. ^ Massey, Arthur, 1861-1950 (1910), Eleven Xmas carols [music] / by Arthur Massey, W. H. Paling & Co`{{citation}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
2. ^ "St George's, Glenmore Road". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 19, 904. New South Wales, Australia. 26 December 1901. p. 5. Retrieved 9 May 2021 - via National Library of Australia.
3. ^ ""Twenty Years Ago"". The Sun. No. 996\. New South Wales, Australia. 30 April 1922. p. 14. Retrieved 5 May 2021 - via National Library of Australia.
4. ^ "Mr Arthur Massey's Concert". The Daily Telegraph. No. 6087\. New South Wales, Australia. 16 December 1898. p. 6. Retrieved 9 May 2021 - via National Library of Australia.
5. ^ "Glebe Musical Society". Evening News. No. 9104\. New South Wales, Australia. 8 August 1896. p. 3. Retrieved 9 May 2021 - via National Library of Australia.
6. ^ "New Music". The Daily Telegraph. No. 7349\. New South Wales, Australia. 27 December 1902. p. 6. Retrieved 9 May 2021 - via National Library of Australia.
7. ^ Dr Graeme Skinner. "AustralHarmony, A biographical register of Australian colonial musical personnel". University of Sydney. Retrieved 11 April 2022.
8. ^ "Local and General". The Cumberland Mercury. Vol. XXI, no. 1362\. New South Wales, Australia. 4 December 1886. p. 4. Retrieved 6 May 2021 - via National Library of Australia.
9. ^ "Beethoven String Quartette". The Daily Telegraph. No. 2518\. New South Wales, Australia. 12 August 1887. p. 6. Retrieved 6 May 2021 - via National Library of Australia.
10. ^ Cameron, Neil Matheson (2022). Music of the Anglican Cathedral and selected Anglican parish churches of the Diocese of Sydney 1869–1940. Macquarie University (thesis). doi:10.25949/19437074.v1. hdl:1959.14/1053143. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
11. ^ Massey, Arthur, 1861–1950 (1910), Eleven Xmas carols [music] / by Arthur Massey, W. H. Paling & Co`{{citation}}`: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
12. ^ "New Christmas Carols". The Sydney Morning Herald. No. 20, 219. New South Wales, Australia. 29 December 1902. p. 8. Retrieved 9 May 2021 - via National Library of Australia.
13. ^ "The Haymakers". The Weekly Advance. No. 23\. New South Wales, Australia. 8 July 1892. p. 4. Retrieved 13 April 2022 - via National Library of Australia.