William Ralph Driffill (8 December 1870 in Dunstable – 24 April 1922 in Barnet)England & Wales, National Probate Calendar (Index of Wills and Administrations), 1858-1995 (Dabb-Gyves) for William Ralph Driffill (1922) was an English organist and composer.

Personal life Driffill was the son of William Driffill, a plumber who ran his own business in Dunstable, and Maria (née Potter).W.R. Driffill'. The Organ Forum; contains information shared by Driffill's grand-daughter. Online resource, accessed 8 January 2025. In 1908 he married Kate Prior (1879–1947).Kate Driffill in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007. Oct 1947. Hertfordshire. 5a. 55 Their first child was Helen Elsbeth (1914–96).Helen Elsbeth Podmore in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007. B35C/5321B/287. Their second child was Kathleen Rosemary (1922–2008);Kathleen Rosemary Pollard in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007. Auh 2003. C11C, 532/1C. 89. she was born 6 months after her father's sudden death from pneumonia in 1922. W.R. Driffil's papers and manuscripts remain with his descendants. When giving recitals or directing concerts he was often assisted by his cousin Frederick Gostelow (1866–1942).'Frederick James Gostelow'. Choral Public Domain Library (CPDL). Online resource, accessed 8 January 2025.

Student days In 1890, Driffill enrolled at the Royal Academy of Music. During his time there he gained prizes for his playing and composition. In 1891, he is recorded as gaining the status of 'Certificated Pianist' of Trinity College of Music in their '35th Half-Yearly Higher Examinations'.'Trinity College London'. The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 32, No. 576 (Feb. 1, 1891). Online resource, accessed 8 January 2025.

Performing Conductor 1900: Barnet: Mr. W. R. Driffill's Choral Society gave a highly satisfactory performance, on the 8th ult., of Franco Leoni's "Gate of Life," preceded by Mendelssohn's "Hymn of Praise" [...] The singing of the choir gave evidence of careful and efficient training, which reflected great credit on the conductor, Mr. Driffill.'Brief Summary of Country and Colonial News' The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 41, No. 686 (Apr. 1, 1900).

Organist n.d.: organist at St. Mary the Virgin, in Monken Hadley, Hertfordshire.'Biography of Ralph Driffill' in Bardon Music" Organ Sheet Music Compositions by Ralph Driffill. Online resource, accessed 8 January 2025. 1896–? : organist of Holy Trinity, Lyonsdown, New Barnet. 1901–? : organist of St. Mark's, Barnet Vale.

Works Choral 1891: Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in F. (London and New York : Novello, Ewer and Co).Jisc Library Hub Discover. Online resource, accessed 8 January 2025. 1895: There's a Friend for little Children. Anthem. Op. 7. (London : Weekes & Co.). 1898: Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in D. Op. 10. (London : Weekes & Co.). 1903: Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in E. (London : Vincent Music Co.). 1913: Magnificat and Nunc dimittis in A. (London : Weekes & Co.). 1914: Te Deum laudamus in D. (London : Weekes & Co.).

Organ 1892.: Minuet in D (n.p.).This work was performed by F. Gostelow as part of the musical events for the reopening of the Alexandra Palace. 'Organ Music'. The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 39, No. 666 (Aug. 1, 1898). Oline resource, accessed 8 January 2025. 1893: Postlude in D (London, Leipzig : ?). 1894: Minuet in A. Op. 6. (London : Mathias & Strickland). 1896: Two Organ Works. Op. 9. 1. Postlude. 2. Reverie. (London : Weekes & Co.) 1899: Nocturne No. 3. In The Organ Loft : a magazine of organ music suitable for church & recital purposes. Book XXVI (London : The Vincent Music Co). 1905: Suite in F minor. Op. 14. Allegro Maestoso, Romance, Toccata. (London : The Vincent Music Co). 1909: Cantaline in A minor, in The Organ Loft : a magazine of organ music suitable for church & recital purposes. Book LVIII. (London : The Vincent Music Co.).Jisc Library Hub Discover. Online resource, accessed 8 January 2025. 1910: Minuet in C. (n.p.). 1911: Second Suite. Allegro con spirito, Berceuse, Allegro vivace. (London : The Vincent Music Co). 1912: Intermezzo, in The Organ Loft : a magazine of organ music suitable for church & recital purposes. Book LXXXVI. (London : The Vincent Music Co.). 1914: Andantino. (London : Novello). 1917: Andantino in 5-4 time. (London : Augener)

Piano 1893: Three sonatinas for the piano. Op. 4. (London : E. Donajowski).Jisc Library Discover. Online resource, accessed 8 January 2025.These works may be recommended to teachers of young pianists as conducive to the cultivation of the sense of form. The first, in the key of F, is remarkably simple and easy to play; the others demand greater executive ability, the third, in C, being most advanced; but all the passages lay well under the hand, and the melodiousness of the themes and their treatment are calculated to sustain the interest of the player, ] 'Reviewed Works'. The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Vol. 36, No. 623 (Jan. 1, 1895). Online resource, accessed 8 January 2025. 1896: Three Sonatinas for the Pianoforte, in A major, in B flat major, in D major. Op. 8. (London : Weekes & Co.). 1903: Tarantella in F minor. (London : E. Ashdown). 1909: Elfin Dance. (London : Vincent Music Co). 1910: Suite in E. The Hours. For Piano. 1. Dawn. 2. Noon. 3. Evening. 4. Night. (London : E. Howard). 1912: The Land of Dreams. Idyll. (London : J. R. Lafleur & Son).Jisc Library Discover. Online resource, accessed 8 January 2025. 1913: School-Day Miniatures. (London : Weekes & Co.). 1915: Valse Caprice. (London : A. Lengnick & Co.). 1917: Elfin Dance. (London : Winthrop Rogers).Jisc Library Discover. Online resource, accessed 8 January 2025.

Solo voice 1913: Here's to Jack. Song, words by L. Melville. (London : Bach & Co,). 1917: The Old Homeland. Song. Words by Aubrey Jacques. (London : West & Co). 1919: Longing for you. Song. Words by Aubrey Jacques. (n.p.)/

External links Open access music scores by W. R. Driffill at IMSLP Pterucci Music Library.

References