A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Faning, Eaton

FANING, Eaton, the son of a professor of music, was born at Helston in Cornwall, May 20, 1850. He received his first instruction on the pianoforte and violin from his parents, and performed at local concerts before he was five years old. In April, 1870, he entered the Royal Academy of Music, where he studied under Sir Sterndale Bennett, Dr. Steggall, Signor Ciabatta, and Messrs. Sullivan, Jewson, Aylward, and Pettitt, and carried off successively the bronze medal (1871), silver medal for the Pianoforte (1872), Mendelssohn Scholarship (1873), bronze medal for Harmony (1874), and the Lucas silver medal for Composition (1876). In 1874 Mr. Faning was appointed Sub-Professor of Harmony, in 1877 Assistant-Professor of the Pianoforte, and Associate, and in 1878 Professor of the Pianoforte. He also played the violoncello and drums in the orchestra. On July 18, 1877, Mr. Faning's operetta, 'The Two Majors,' was performed at the Royal Academy, which event led to the establishment of the Operatic Class at the institution. An operetta, 'The Head of the Poll,' was successfully produced at the German Reeds' Entertainment in 1882. At the same date Mr. Faning occupied the posts of Professor and Conductor of the Choral Class at the National Training School, and Professor of the Pianoforte at the Guildhall School of Music; the latter post he resigned in July 1885, when he was appointed Director of the Music at Harrow School. From the opening of the Royal College of Music until July 1885 he taught the Pianoforte and Harmony, and until Easter 1887 also conducted the Choral Class at that institution. Mr. Faning is also conductor of the Madrigal Society. His compositions include two operettas, a symphony in C minor, two quartets, an overture, a Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis for full orchestra (performed at St. Paul's at the Festival of the Sons of the Clergy), besides anthems, songs, duets, and part-songs, among which the 'Song of the Vikings,' for four-part chorus with pianoforte duet accompaniment, has attained wide popularity.

[ W. B. S. ]