Herbert Howells (1892–1983) remains an enigmatic figure in 20th-century English music. Hailing from the small town of Lydney in Gloucestershire, he displayed musical talent from an early age and was initially taught by Herbert Brewer at Gloucester Cathedral before studying at the Royal College of Music with Stanford and Charles Wood.[2][5] In his twenties and thirties, Howells devoted himself primarily to chamber and orchestral music, including two piano concertos. However, the negative reception of his second concerto in 1925 led him to largely withdraw from composing for several years.[3][5] The death of his son Michael in 1935 marked a profound turning point and triggered a new creative period in which Howells increasingly turned to sacred music.[3][5]
[3][5] Although Howells was not a practicing Christian, he became particularly well-known for his sacred music, including the famous "Hymnus Paradisi," which he composed after Michael's death but which was not premiered until 1950 at the urging of his friend Ralph Vaughan Williams.[3][5] In this work, Howells incorporated parts of an earlier unaccompanied Requiem, which was later dedicated to his son and not published until 1981.[3]
Howells' music is characterized by spiritual depth and is inspired by biblical texts. Over the years, he developed a distinctive style in Anglican church music and created numerous works of high quality. Despite personal tragedies and periods of withdrawal from public life, his musical legacy remains influential and inspiring.