To a Flower Child, Op. 41, No. 1

Harry Farjeon was born on 6 May 1878 in Hohokus, New Jersey. His parents returned to Britain when he was a baby, and he lived in Hampstead in London for the rest of his life. His younger sister, Eleanor, with whom he shared a rich imaginary life, wrote children's books and poetry, including the hymn, Morning Has Broken.

He studied music privately with Landon Ronald and John Storer, then in 1895 he entered the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he studied composition with Battison Haynes and Frederick Corder, and piano with Septimus Webbe.

He left the Royal Academy of Music in 1900, but in 1901 he returned to teach composition. Two years later, at the age of 25, he became the Academy's youngest ever professor, having become the family wage-earner after the death of his father. He also taught at the Blackheath Conservatoire.

Harry Farjeon composed music throughout most of his life. His compositions are mostly for piano, but he also wrote songs, sonatas, concertos and a mass setting. He died in Hampstead on 29 December 1948.

"To a Flower Child" was published by Augener, Ltd. in 1916. It has long-since become unavailable, and has virtually disappeared from the world.

I have searched for it for a very long time, and while I had some leads, nothing ever materialized.

My good friend and our member, voxcoelistis did me the very great favor of tracking it down, and was able to obtain a special reprint of it from Stainer & Bell, who now own the old Auegener plates.

Mike, this is dedicated to you. I cannot thank you enough.

This piece is without dedication, but I've been told that it was written for Harry's sister, Eleanor, as I think she is "the flower child" that inspired it.

It is an unusual piece, and seems to be a war-protest song, as the horrors of WWI were at their height at the time of its composition.

I attached some photos of Harry & Eleanor.

Yesterday was Peace Day, and I had hoped to get this done then, but then or now, I wish you all peace.