Biography of Alfred Hollins
Hollins, Alfred. Hon.Mus.D. (Edinburgh, 1922); Hon.F.R.C.O. Blind organist. Studied at the Wilberforce Institution, York, under William Barnby, 1874-77; the Royal Normal College for the Blind, Upper Norwood, London, under F. J. Campbell, Fritz Hartvigson (piano), and Dr E. J. Hopkins (organ), 1878; in Berlin under Hans von Bülow who described him as one “of those rare and true musicians among pianoforte virtuosi”, 1885. Organist of St. John’s, Redhill, London, 1884-88; the People’s Palace, London, 1888-; St. Andrew’s (Presbyterian), Upper Norwood, London, 1888-97; St. George’s (United Free), Edinburgh, Scotland, 1897-1942. Professor of piano and organ at the Royal Normal College for the Blind, Upper Norwood, London, 1888. Was responsible for the specifications of the organ in Johannesburg Town Hall, built by Norman & Beard (giving opening recital, 1916), and Caird Hall, Dundee, built by Harrison & Harrison; also organs in Belfast and Edinburgh. Played the Beethoven Pianoforte Concerto in E-flat under Manns at the Crystal Palace; before Queen Victoria at Windsor, 1882; toured the United States, 1885, 1888; played a series of recitals at Sydney Town Hall in 1904; toured New Zealand, 1904; South Africa, 1907, 1909; U.S.A., 1926. Composed organ music, songs, anthems, piano music, &c. b. Hull, England, Sep. 11th, 1865; d. Edinburgh, Scotland, May 17th, 1942. Biographical information courtesy of www.organ-biography.info © 2024 |