JOHN MEWBURN LEVIEN (1863

Baritone, Teacher of Singing, Author and Musicologist

(Athenaeum share no.: 205)

Born in Birkenhead Levien, as he always signed himself, will be remembered for his outstanding contributions to the art of singing. His academic lectures and his scholarly editing of works on singing have left their mark on future generations.

Notwithstanding his link with such great musical personalities as Manuel Garcia and Sir Charles Santley, Levien started his musical career in Liverpool where he achieved much recognition. On the advice of distinguished baritone Charles Santley and the organist T. W. Best, he commenced his serious singing studies with H. C. Deacon and the legendary singing teacher Manuel Garcia. He studied also with Vannuccini (of Florence) and Salzedo (of Paris.) After some years he moved to London where he obtained high recommendations for his method of voice production from Sir Morell Mackenzie. He sang at the Crystal Palace concerts under the late Sir August Manns, and at the principal London concert halls, eventually making the decision to devote himself entirely to teaching. Levien held teaching posts at The Guildhall School of Music and a professorship at Trinity College of Music. Among his many other activities he was Hon. Secretary of the Royal Philharmonic Society, of which he was a member from 1951.

Levien contributed articles on the history, technique and theory of the practice of singing to the musical press and was author of several books on these subjects. His musical activities covered a wide range as did his writings. A look at the index for The Musical Times reveals that he contributed articles on W. T. Best, organs, and many other musical subjects together with first hand contributions on the many famous singers he had observed and knew personally.

One of the things of which he was most proud was his association with Sir Charles Santley whom he held in the highest respect. Santley had guided his career and became his mentor. In Levien's lecture "Sir Charles Santley," given in 1942 before the Society of Women Musicians and afterwards at the Violincello Club in the London School of Violincello, Levien tells of Santley's great generosity towards him. Santley and Levien were both students of Manuel Garcia, a fact that was to result in their being very close friends for the remainder of Santley's long life. He was with Santley immediately prior to the latter's death in 1922.

He delivered an authoritative lecture on the Garcia family in 1932. He died in London.

Bibliography: "Other Liverpool Fixtures - Mr J. Mewburn Levien." Staff, Article, London Musical Courier, 23 March.1912.

"Who's Who in Music" by Geoffrey L'Epine.

"Sir Charles Santley" by J. Mewburn Levien

"The Garcia Family" by J. Mewburn London Levien

"Impressions of W.T. Best (1826-1897) organist at St. George's Hall, Liverpool" by J. Mewburn Levien.

"The Singing of John Braham" by J. Mewburn Levien.

"Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians" by Eric Bloom. ,

(Information supplied by Cheniston K. Roland)