A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Mackenzie, Alexander

by George Grove

MACKENZIE, Alexander Campbell, son of a favourite Edinburgh musician, was born in Edinburgh, 1847, was sent to Germany at the age of 10 to study music at Schwarzburg-Sondershausen under Ulrich Eduard Stein. He entered the ducal orchestra as violinist at the age of 14, and remained in Germany until 1862, when he came to London in order to study the violin under M. Sainton, and was elected King's Scholar of the Royal Academy of Music in 1862.

In 1865 he returned to Edinburgh, established a position as pianoforte teacher, and has since remained in Scotland, with the view of devoting himself entirely to composition. His principal works are 'Cervantes, an overture for orchestra'; a Scherzo for ditto; Overture to a Comedy; a String Quintet, and many other pieces in MS.; Pianoforte Quartet in B♭ (Leipzig, Kahnt), op. 11; Trois Morceaux pour Piano, op. 15; two Songs, op. 12; besides songs, part-songs, anthems, and pieces for the piano.

[ G. ]

Appendix p.707:

To list of works add the following:—Operas. 'Colomba,' op. 28 (Drury Lane, April 5, 1883); 'The Troubadour' (ibid. June 8, 1886), the words of both by Francis Hueffer. Oratorio: 'The Rose of Sharon' (Norwich Festival, 1884), words by Joseph Bennett. Cantatas: 'Jason' (Bristol Festival, 1882), and 'The Bride'; 'The Story of Sayid' (Leeds Festival, 1886). Orchestral: 'La Belle Dame sans Merci,' op. 29; two Scotch Rhapsodies, op. 21 and 24; overture, 'Twelfth Night,' op. 40; concerto for violin and orchestra, op. 32, played by Señor Sarasate at the Birmingham Festival, 1885. Piano, ops. 15, 20, and 23, six pieces for violin and piano, op. 37, besides songs, part-songs, and three organ pieces. His most important recent compositions are his 'Jubilee Ode,' words by Joseph Bennett (Crystal Palace, June 22, 1887, and Norwich Festival of same year), and an ode, 'The New Covenant,' composed for the opening of the Glasgow Exhibition of 1888. The composer received the honorary degree of Mus.D. from the University of St. Andrew's in 1886. He was elected principal of the Royal Academy of Music in Feb. 1888. Knighted, 1895.

[ M. ]

Appendix p.820:

Add to list of works 'The Dream of Jubal,' cantata, performed by the Liverpool Philharmonic Society, Feb. 5, and at Novello's Oratorio Concert, Feb. 26, 1889.