I have been delighted at the global correspondence that has hit my inbox and Twitter feed since my first post on my great-grand-uncle, composer and organist Carl Hemann. At least two people have made the effort to tell me about their strong childhood memories of his music.
Below, therefore, is another FREE download, this time of arguably his most famous piece, the British Cavalry, Grand March-Galop de Concert for pianoforte. It has been carefully fingered, according to the preface – using the old English system of a + for the thumb, and then 1,2,3,4 for the fingers. (We Brits were very suspicious, in the early 1900s, of the now universally accepted Continental fingering.)
It’s a pdf of the full size original – bigger than A4, but you should be able to print to A4 if necessary. Hover to get a preview, then click on the download icon on the far left to download it to your device.
The original post: Carl Hemann, neglected Yorkshire composer – free download!
Hi I have that very sheet music in fabulous condition. It was recently given to me amongst others by a lady who is clearing out her mothers home. I also have many other gems. I am trying to research them all and hopefully return to her with good news as her mother 98 and in a home…every little penny helps! Can you maybe give me more info on Carl Hemann and any site thag may help me research further for piano muskc datjng frkm early 1900s x many thanx
I don’t know any specific sites for this music Audra – I find people sell them on auction sites like ebay or Amazon Used Listings
My mum has this piece, for piano duet. It belonged to my godmother, long since dead, who played the organ in the village church and liked to get my mum to play duets with her. Now I play all the old duet repertoire at my parents’ house with my daughter (14), who loves all the corny old stuff! (And incidentally has ambitions to be a cathedral organist!)
My sisters and I love playing these corny duets too! Usually end falling off the piano stool in hysterics. Good luck to your daughter with her studies – we need lots more female cathedral organists!
What a coincidence finding this. I am the great niece of his son, Carl Hubert Coles Biltcliffe, who was also a professional musician. I was told by my mother that he also composed under the name Carl Hemann. I grew up playing some of Carl Hemann’s pieces on piano and have a number of these.
I can’t quite work out exactly how we are related (some sort of complicated cousins I guess) but great to meet up with you Naomi!
Hi, just chanced upon you web site and thought you may be interested. My father born in 1910 lived in Barnsley and was privileged to have piano lessons from Carl Hemann. He studied with him from the age of 6 till about 16 and became an accomplished pianist before leaving to go up to London University. Evidently it was difficult to get lessons from him but my grandfather who had a boot and shoe factory in Barnsley was a friend of Carl Hemann. I also have several copies of his compositions ( inherited from my dad ) all marked up with his teaching comments in thick blue pencil …. must have been a strict teacher judging by some of them !! Also in my collection I have some music sheets with the name J T Biltcliffe as composer, I had no idea this was the same person until I read your site.
Anyway just thought I’d let you know that dad often spoke of him and so the name Carl Hemann still live on.
Delighted to read these comments. I must add my own anecdote: I have treasured the original copy of the piano duet British Cavalry for – literally- decades. My grandmother’s maiden name is on the front (she married in 1924) and I used to play it with her about 40 years ago. Just recently, a new friend (not much older tham I was when I played with my grandmother) came to play duets with me. She was instantly enthusiastic about the British Cavalry and we have often played it together. This week we are playing it for our choir evening. As I now live in Germany, I was interested to read on your page about why the name Carl Hemann was chosen. I will tell our choir about the history of the piece. Our organist will surely be interested too! So thank you very much.
Thank you Catherine! It’s so good to hear these stories about Carl Hemann’s music. I will tell my mother, and my sister, who is very keen on the family history of this side of the family.
Hi,
My name is Per Kristen Barwell Bjørklund from Norway. This was a very interesting page on my great grandfather Carl Hemann – John Thomas Biltcliffe. I have started with research on the familiy history. My mother (Barbara Joan Barwell, her mother was Gertrude Elizabeth Barwell, born Biltcliffe) played the piano music from her grandfather, but I don’t now that he was professional musician.
I would like to have more history on my great grandfather and I am very interested to find family who can tell me more about my great grandfather and his familiy.
Best Regards
Per
How good to hear from you! It seems that Carl Hemann/John Biltcliffe’s music has gone all round the world. I am trying to work it out, but this means that you and I are related, which is nice! I will talk to my sister, who is the family expert on the Biltcliffe family tree, and see if there are some papers we can email you. With best wishes Morwenna
Gertrude was the sister of my great uncle, Carl Hubert Coles Biltcliffe (known as Bert). Bert, like his father was a professional musician. JT Biltcliffe taught piano and I believe singing in Barnsley. Both of them composed under the name Carl Hemann.
Delighted to be able to print your free download as this is a popular piano piece in our family here in New Zealand.
Many thanks.
I would be interested to know if anyone remembers a piano piece by Carl Hemann called The Skylark,which I remember playing as a child.