August 1910: Death of a Scottish Composer – Mr Allan Macbeth

An obituary on page six of the Aberdeen Daily Journal (Aberdeen Press and Journal, in The British Newspaper

Archive), on Saturday the 27th of August, 1910, reads:

 

“OBITUARY.

 

A SCOTTISH COMPOSER.

 

The death of Mr Allan Macbeth took place on Thursday at his residence, Kelvingrove Street, Glasgow.

Mr Macbeth had suffered from an internal malady for a considerable time. In the beginning of July he

went to Cullen, but experienced no benefit from the change, and returned to Glasgow about a fortnight

ago.

 

Mr Macbeth was a son of Mr Norman Macbeth, R.S.A., and was born in Greenock in 1856. His connection

with Glasgow began in 1880, when he became conductor of the Glasgow Choral Union; this post he held

until 1887. He was organist in several churches, including Woodside Established Church, St George’s in

the Fields, and St Matthew’s Parish Church, and he conducted, among other societies, the Greenock Select

Choir and the Glasgow Kyrle Choir. In 1890 he was appointed principal of the Athenaeum School of Music,

a position which he held till 1902, when he started the Glasgow College of Music. His cantata, ‘The Land of

Glory,’ which won a prize given by the Glasgow Society of Musicians, was performed in 1890. Among his

other compositions are an operetta (MS.), ‘The Duke’s Doctor,’ and some orchestral pieces, including the

well-known intermezzo, ‘Forget-me-not,’ ‘In Memoriam,’ ‘Serenata,’ ‘Danse Pizzicati,’ and ‘Ballet de la cour.’

He was also known for his chamber music, pianoforte music, original songs, and arrangements of Scotch

songs for four voices. Mr Macbeth, who was a brother of Mr R. W. Macbeth, R.A., the well-known etcher,

was twice married. He leaves a widow and one son and two daughters.”

 

 

The British Newspaper Archive.

 

 

George Fairfull-Smith, March 2024.