Noel Rawsthorne

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Noel Rawsthorne (b. 1929) was Organist of Liverpool Cathedral from 1955 to 1980. While there, he composed many original choral works, such as the Festive Eucharist (1978) which is still sung regularly by churches across the Anglican Diocese of Liverpool.

He mentored (now Professor) Ian Tracey, who succeeded him as Musical Director of the Cathedral in 1980.

He also taught Peter Crompton (organist and director of music at the Royal Hospital School) for many years. Crompton has since gone on to play for the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance for successive years.

Rawsthorne's compositions and arrangements are found in many contemporary collections of organ music. His Hornpipe Humoresque is an amusing set of variations on the familiar Sailor's Hornpipe, in the styles of (and with apologies to) Bach (Brandenburg Concerto No. 3, 1st movement), Vivaldi ("Spring," 1st movement, from The Four Seasons), Arne (Rule Britannia) and Widor ("Toccata" from Sympony No. 5).