A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Prentice, Thomas

PRENTICE, Thomas Ridley, born July 6, 1842, at Paslow Hall, Ongar, entered the Royal Academy in 1861, studying the piano under Mr. Walter Macfarren, and harmony and composition under the late Sir. G. A. Macfarren. In 1863 he obtained the Silver Medal and the Potter Exhibition. On leaving the institution he was elected an associate, and since that time has been chiefly engaged in pianoforte teaching. In 1869 he started 'monthly popular concerts' at Brixton, which were carried on for five years, the assistance of first-rate artists being secured, and many new works, both English and foreign, being performed. For some years he gave an annual concert at the Hanover Square Rooms. At the Crystal Palace he played Beethoven's Rondo in B♭ with orchestra, for the first time in England. [See vol. iv. p. 538, no. 151.] For some time he held the post of organist at Christ Church, Lee Park. In 1880 he was appointed professor of the piano at the Guildhall School of Music, and in the same year he organized an extremely successful series of 'twopenny concerts' in Kensington Town Hall, especially intended for the working class. During the two seasons in which the scheme was carried on, many artists of eminence appeared; and chamber music of a high class was given. In 1881 he became professor at the Blackheath Conservatoire of Music. His compositions include a cantata, 'Linda,' for female voices, several anthems, 'Break forth into joy,' 'I love the Lord,' etc., part-songs, trios, etc., besides numerous songs and pianoforte pieces, among the latter of which may be mentioned a 'Gavotte fantastique,' an elegy, a minuet and trio, etc. He edited six cantatas by Carissimi, with accompaniments, and has lately completed an excellent series of instruction-books for the pianoforte under the collective title of 'The Musician' (Swan Sonnenschein & Co.), in which special stress is laid upon the analysis of musical compositions from the beginning of pianoforte study.

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