Quick Facts
Biography
Arthur Henry Mann (16 May 1850, Norwich – 19 November 1929, Cambridge) was an English organist and composer of hymn tunes including "Angel's Story" which was originally written for the hymn 'I love to hear the story', but is also sung to the words 'O Jesus, I have promised.' He was most noted for his role as organist and director of music at King's College Chapel, Cambridge from 1876 until 1929, being the founder director of the world famous tradition of the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols since its first performance in 1918. In 1888, he published his own edition of Thomas Tallis's Spem in alium. His edition, though flawed, was the very first publication ever made of Tallis's famous motet in forty parts.
Education
Mann graduated from New College, Oxford (MusB 1874, MusD 1882). He was a chorister and assistant organist at Norwich Cathedral. He was an articled pupil to Zechariah Buck.
Career
He was
- Organist at St. Peter's Collegiate Church, Wolverhampton, 1870–1871,
- Organist at St. Michael's Church, Tettenhall 1871–1875,
- Organist at Beverley Minster 1875–1876,
- Organist at King's College Chapel, Cambridge 1876–1929,
- Cambridge University Organist 1897–1929,
- Music master and organist The Leys School, Cambridge 1894–1922.
- In 1918 he directed the music and the first service of Nine Lessons and Carols at King's College Chapel.
- ^ Cathedral Organists, John E. West, London, Novello and Company, 1899.
- Dictionary of Organs and Organists, Second Edition, 1921, G. A. Mate (London)
