User:Linstead08

The 24th January 2008 sees the centenary of George Frederick Linstead, (1908-1974) musician, critic and composer, who featured prominently in the musical life of Sheffield and South Yorkshire, England, UK.

The son of a stud groom, Linstead spent his childhood in the village of Doveridge, South Derbyshire, where his musical talents first developed. The sudden death of his father in 1915 forced the family to move to Sheffield, where he spent the rest of his life, never forgetting his country roots. After leaving school, he devoted himself to a musical career. Through financial circumstances he was never able to attend university for undergraduate studies, but nevertheless obtained numerous degrees and diplomas through external study, including those of Bachelor and Doctor of Music.

Linstead was the music critic of the Sheffield Telegraph for many years. He was a music lecturer at Sheffield University, an organist and choirmaster, (latterly at Christ Church, Fulwood), and for many years contributed programme notes for the Sheffield Philharmonic concerts. His numerous compositions included works for orchestra, solo instrument, piano, organ, and choir. Some of these were performed by the Halle Orchestra and received their first public hearing in the City Hall. Several of these compositions have a local connection, including his Symphonic Study “Doveridge”, his arrangement of the Castleton Garland Dance, and his film music for “Engineers in Steel”, commissioned for the English Steel Corporation. Various events are planned to mark Linstead’s centenary. These include: a lecture to be given by Christopher Powell at Sheffield University on 11th February 2007, accompanied by performance of a small selection of the composer’s works. A longer recital of the composer’s works is planned [later in the year].

A website giving further information on the life and works of the composer, including a full list of works, centenary events, downloads, and access to the official biography, may be accessed at: www.georgeflinstead.org.uk.