The British Musical Biography

[E] Stewart, Sir Robert Prescott, Kt.,
organist, composer, and writer, born at Dub-
lin, December 16, 1825. Son of Charles F.
Stewart, librarian of the King's Inns, Dublin.
Received his musical education in the school
of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, and was
appointed cathedral organist in 1844, as well
as at St. Patrick's, and Trinity College. In
1846 he became conductor of the University
Choral Society; graduated Mus. Bac, and

[+] Mus. Doc, Dublin, 1851 ; and in 1861 was
appointed professor of music in Dublin Uni-
versity. There was no fund from which to
pay an organist at St. Patrick's Cathedral, so
in 1852 he was made a vicar-choral, with the
understanding that he would continue to play
the organ as he had previously done. In 1872
he was invited to represent Ireland at the
Peace Festival held at Boston, U.S.A. ; he did
not go, but sent an Ode, in which Irish and
American airs were worked up. About that
time he began his connection with the Royal
Irish Academy of Music, as professor of har-
mony, organ, etc. In 1873 he was appointed
conductor of the Dublin Philharmonic. He
was a remarkably fine organ player, and gave
performances in many parts of England, his
extemporisations being masterly. He trav-
elled a good deal, and had great literary
powers, as shown in his numerous lectures ;
and he was an authority on bagpipes of all
kinds. In 1872 he was knighted by Earl
Spencer, and received many public tokens of
admiration at the same time. He died at
Dublin, March 25, 1894.

[W] Works.— Ode to Industry, Cork Exhibition,
1852 ; A Winter night's wake (1858), and
The eve of St. John, cantatas ; Ode to Shake-
speare, Birmingham Festival, 1870; "Com-
mittee " cantata. University Choral Society,
1 889 ; Ode for Tercentenary Festival of Trinity
College, Dublin, July 5, 1892. Ten other can-
tatas and odes in MS. Church service in E
flat, for double choir ; Services, various ; Motets
and anthems, twelve published, others in MS.
Musical editor of Church Hymnal. Glee, O
Nightingale ''Milton), Hibernian Catch Club
Prize, 1848 ; five other prize glees The bells
of St. Michael's tower ; Fairest flower ; The
dream ; Haymakers' song ; and other part-
songs. Song, The Reefer, Orchestra prize,
1865 ; many songs, published and in MS.
Suite in G, violins, Dublin, 1891. Orchestral
music, MS. Concert fantasia in D minor,
and other pieces for organ. Lectures: Ancient
Irish music ; Irish composers ; Bagpipes ;
Eastern music ; Musical epochs, etc. Essays
in Cassell's Biographical Dictionary ; and
articles in Grove's Dictionary.

entry id: 395-L-54