I located this book “Twelve Hand-Formation Studies for Pianoforte by Cuthbert Harris, Mus.Doc” in a shop recently. In addition to the above title it states “ Expressly written for the purpose of attaining from an early stage the correct position of the hands on the keyboard”. At the time the music was published (1920) it cost 2/-. In the introduction, Cuthbert Harris states that piano teachers acknowledge the importance of a proper position of the hand on the keys and endeavour to “form the hand” from the earliest stages of a pupil’s instruction. The following studies were written with this one - and only one - object in view. In all of them the hand is used only in it normal position. Awkwardness has been avoided so that the pupil’s attention may be concentrated on maintaining this proper position and shape of the hand. The studies should be practised with each hand separately at first - slowly and firmly - with fingers well rounded and back of hand level. With careful practice the Studies will not only quickly develop a good “hand-formation” but will also give even the youngest of pupils :”grip” and confidence of touch”.
Here are some observations I have made concerning these studies -
there are numerous three note chords present in all of these pieces and in both hands. There are occasions where both hands play three note chords simultaneously. Some of these chords require the hands to stretch out of a five-finger position. Here a pupil will have concerns ensuring that all of these notes sound together.
a number of the pieces contain alternating crotchet/quaver patterns in both hands. A pupil would be required to maintain evenness in the quaver sections and also be able to swap between the rhythmic patterns with ease.
often a chord that has been played or is about to be played is then separated in an Alberti bass fashion.
the pieces require the use of thirds and fourths in the melodic patterns.
there are many tied chords present in these studies.
all phrasing markings have been added, however as stated by Dr Harris, dynamic and agogic markings have been omitted so that the player can concentrate on the purpose of the studies.
the crotchet rest is written as a backward quaver rest.
a reasonable amount of fingering has been added.
There is little information about him online. According to one entry, Cuthbert Harris was born on the 7th June 1870 in Holloway, London. In the 1871 Census it shows Cuthbert aged 9 months old living with his parents James and Sarah and two older brothers William and Montagu. His father is working as a compositor and his mother is a schoolmistress. By the 1881 Census Cuthbert is living in Bristol with his mother, now a widow, and his brothers William and Montagu. His mother is working as a Head Mistress at a National School. He studied music privately, following which he attended the London Organ School and the London Academy of Music. In 1894 he graduated from the University of Durham with a Bachelor of Music and a PhD in 1899.
In January 1889 he became an Associate of the Royal College of Organists and he became a Fellow of the same institution in July 1889. In the 1891 Census Cuthbert and his brother Montagu are living with their aunt Matilda Harris (most probably their father’s sister) in Islington who is running a boarding house. Cuthbert is listed as a Teacher of Music. Cuthbert Harris held organist positions at the Presbyterian Church, Haverstock Hill, London from 1889 - 1891, at the Welwyn Parish Church, Hertfordshire 1891 - 1893, St Andrew’s Streathem London form 1893 - 1903 and St Leonard’s Parish Church, Streathem from 1903.
Cuthbert Harris married Louisa Smallwood at the age of 30 in Henley in Arden on the 2nd August 1900. His father James Sydney Harris is deceased. He was the music master at the London College for Ladies and professor of organ and composition at the London Organ School from about 1896 until 1901. In 1904, he was appointed conductor of the Streathem Choral Society. He taught harmony and voice at the London Academy of Music, taught music by correspondence, prepared students for music examinations and wrote articles for music periodicals.
In the 1911 Census Cuthbert Harris and is wife Louisa are living at 48 Braxted Park, Streathem, Surrey with their three children, 8 year old daughter Mary Gwendolin, and two sons 6 year old Montagu and 3 year old Leonard. They have two servants and their house has nine rooms. Leonard was baptised at the Streathem Church on the 6th February 1908.
He died at Gorleston-on-Sea on June 17th 1932. from www.michaelsmusicservice.com. Probate is granted to his wife on the 15th August 1932 and his effects are £3347 16s 4d.
One comment by a writer stated that Cuthert Harris’ piano albums ‘are loved by teachers and pupils alike for both their play ability and the progressive manner they challenge and develop the technique of the improving player.’ Another commented on his pieces ‘being lively and imaginative and the fact that they lead the pupil carefully through every stage that is necessary to develop a complete technique’.
One article I located in the Times dated 29th December 1900 discussed some of the new music that has been composed for the piano. One of these pieces is one by Cuthbert Harris entitled “Song of the Brook” and the reviewer states that it “is effective enough, although its musical merit is but slight”.
In another article in the Birmingham Daily Post dated 29th August 1900 there is mention of new organ music. One of these new pieces was written by Cuthbert Harris called “Five Studies at the Organ”. It states that “few students attempt to learn the organ without some practical acquaintance with a keyboard instrument so this book begins with easy exercises for the pedals. These are followed by short pieces for pedal and manuals. Then come more difficult exercises, including pedal scales in all keys. The directions are in English and German, and the work is suitable for self-tuition, though oversight by a teacher would be preferable”.
Another article in the Graphic dated 2nd May 1891 discusses a set of songs that Cuthbert Harris has composed stating that they are “fairly good but scarcely up to the pecuniary value which he places upon them”.
In the publication the Cheltenham Looker-On dated 20th November 1909 there is a column titled “Music of the Day”. In the education section there is an introduction to the Cuthbert Harris book called “Additional Exercises to lessons in Harmonising Melodies”. It states “this is a very valuable addition to the work we reviewed some time ago. To every melody, thirty in number, Dr Harris has carefully notes all the modulations, given the basses, and in awkward places has suggested the necessary harmony by suitable fingering. It should be in the hands of all students in this trying and difficult subject”.
Cuthbert Harris wrote a set of pieces for the left hand only. He also published pieces under the name of Paul Valdemar and Edward Moran.
References
Ancestry.com
British Newspapers online