A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Corder, Frederick
CORDER, Frederick, at this date (1888) one of the foremost of our rising young composers. Born in London, Jan. 26, 1852, he showed from infancy a strong aptitude for music, which he was, however, not allowed to indulge, being at the age of 18 made to go into business. From his first situation he was unexpectedly released by the pecuniary embarrassments of his employers, and he then persuaded his parents to let him enter the Royal Academy of Music, where his talent for original composition was quickly recognised. He only remained there a year and a half, as, on being elected to the Mendelssohn Scholarship, he was sent to Cologne, where he studied hard for four years under Dr. Ferdinand Hiller. Shortly after his return to England he was appointed conductor at the Brighton Aquarium, where by his talents and energy he raised the musical entertainments from the very low level at which he found them, and brought the orchestra to its present state of efficiency. Mr. Corder's gifts and culture are wide and varied. During the years when music proved unremunerative—as for years it must do to all young composers of high aim and uncompromising temper—he supported himself mainly by literary work, in much of which he had the co-operation and help of his accomplished wife. His musical star seems now in the ascendant. Several of his orchestral works have been performed at the Crystal Palace, the Philharmonic concerts and elsewhere. His romantic opera 'Nordisa,' written for the Carl Rosa company, was produced on Jan. 26, 1887, at the Royal Court Theatre, Liverpool, with brilliant success. It has since been performed in several provincial towns, and was brought out at Drury Lane, May 4, 1887. Subjoined is a complete list of Mr. Corder's compositions. The words of all the vocal works but the two last are his own. The works marked with an asterisk have been published.
1. Evening on the Sea-shore. Idyll for Orchestra. 1876.
2. Im Schwarzwald. Suite. 1876.
3. Morte d'Arthur. Grand Opera. 4 acts. 1877–8.
4. Philomel. Operatic Satire, 1 act. 1880.
5. A Storm in a Teacup. Operetta. 1880.
6. The Cyclops, Cantata. 1881.
* 7. River Songs. Trios for Female voices. 1881.
8. Overture. Ossian (written for the Philharmonic Society). 1882.
9. Nocturne for Orchestra. 1882.
10. Dreamland. Ode for Chorus and Orchestra. 1883.
*11. Roumanian Dances. Violin and Piano. 1883.
12. The Nabob's Pickle. Operetta. 1883.
13. The Noble Savage. Do. 1885.
*14. Overture. 'Prospero.' 1885.
15. Orchestral scenes for The Tempest. 1886.
*16. The Bridal of Triermain. Cantata (Wolverhampton Festival). 1886.
*17. 'Nordisa.' Romantic Opera. 1886.
18. Roumanian Suite for Orchestra. 1887.
*19. 'The Minstrel's Curse.' Ballad for declamation, with orchestral accompaniment. Crystal Palace, March 10. 1888.
*20. Song, 'O sun, that wakenest all' (Tennyson).