Maclean, Quentin (Stuart Morvaren)

Maclean, Quentin (Stuart Morvaren),English-Canadian organist, composer, and teacher; b. London, May 14, 1896; d. Toronto, July 9, 1962. He began his studies with Harold Osmund, KG. Shuttle-worth, and R.R. Terry (1904–07). After receiving training from H. Grädener in Vienna (1907–09), he completed his studies with Sträube (organ) and Reger (composition) in Leipzig (1912–14). At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, he was interned as an enemy alien in the Ruhleben camp near Berlin until 1918. In 1919 he became asst. organist under Terry at Westminster Cathedral in London. He played in various British film theaters (from 1921) and on the BBC (from 1925). In 1939 he emigrated to Canada and played in Toronto film theaters until 1949. He also was organist-choirmaster at Holy Rosary Church in Toronto (1940–62), and was a teacher at the Toronto Cons, of Music and at St. Michael’s Coll., Univ. of Toronto. He frequently appeared on the CBC. As a composer, he followed traditional paths.

Works

orch.:Concert Piece for Organ and Orch. (1932); Rhapsody on 2 English Folk Tunes for Harp and Small Orch. (1938); Algonquin Legend ( 1942); Concerto Grosso in Popular Style for Solovox, Electric Organ, Electric Guitar, Theremin, and Small Orch. (1942); Concerto for Electric Organ and Dance Orch. (1945); The Well-tempered Orchestra ( 1950); Concerto Romantico for Piano and Orch. (1953); Rustic Rhapsody ( 1954); Theme and Variations for Harpsichord and Orch. (1954); Concerto Rococo for Violin and Orch. (1957). chamber: String Quartet (1937); Piano Trio (1937); Trio for Flute, Viola, and Guitar (1937); piano pieces; organ music. vocal:Stabat Mater for Tenor, Chorus, Organ, and Strings (1941); 10 masses; cantata; many choruses; songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire