Thomas Tallis Trimnell
Life
Born: 13 October 1827
Died: 5 September 1897
Biography
The parents of Thomas Tallis Trimnell, Mus Bac., Oxon., were musical – they named Thomas after one of England's greatest composers, and a brother was named after another famous composer/musician, Henry Purcell. “His father was vicar-choral in Bristol Cathedral, and his brother, who lately resigned the position of organist and music master at Clifton College, was also a chorister in the cathedral.” Thomas, who was born in Bristol in 1827, died in Wellington in September 1897, having lived in New Zealand for the previous 11 years, after a long and illustrious career as an organist, composer, brass band judge, composer and conductor in the UK. His obituary in Wellington’s Evening Post newspaper the day after his death stated: “Mr. Trimnell, prior to his arrival in New Zealand, had won for himself in England a name as a composer of church music that in its solidity and devotional character preserved the highest traditions of the best composers of the English school. He first came into prominence as a composer through a service written by himself, which was produced by the London Church Choir Association in St. Paul's Cathedral, and thence onward till his death Mr. Trimnell put forth a series of dignified works for the music of the Church. Some of his settings, of the canticles have become deservedly popular…. the genial character of the musician and his high abilities were well known, the loss caused by his death will be most severely felt.” Mr Trimnell apparently only intended to visit New Zealand, but settled in Auckland in 1886, taking up the post of organist at St. Mary's Cathedral at Parnell. Up to the time of his death in 1897, from 1890, he was organist at St. Peter's Church, Willis Street, Wellington. He was clearly held in the highest regard in musical circles in Wellington, and a memorial fund was set up after his death, to provide for a fitting memorial over Mr. Trimnell's grave at Karori Cemetery, a plaque in St. Peter’s Church, and “any surplus funds remaining to be devoted in such way as the bereaved family might approve”. Thomas's memorial in Karori Cemetery is currently obscured by a self seeded tree, and the inscription is not clear. However, it reads: Thomas Tallis TRIMNELL, Mus Bac, Oxon, d 5 Sep 1897 a 70. `Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace' Quotes from obituary published in the Evening Post 6 September 1897 and other newspaper items. Source: Facebook page of the Friends of Karori Cemetery
List of choral works
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Publications
External websites:
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