Welcome to the Manning School Editions site
MANNING SCHOOL EDITIONS is the publishing branch of my teaching practice and was established when I became aware of the need to compose suitable material for my students as a teaching aid. The catalogue contains a collection of the finest music from the Baroque era to the present day in a series of arrangements for soloists and various chamber ensemble and aims to consolidate and extend the interest of the true devotee of chamber music. Many original compositions are also included in the catalogue, which range from large orchestral works to sonatas, a work for solo Viola and chamber orchestra, a string quartet, and a divertissement for Oboe, Violin and Viola, arrangements for solo voice and string quartet, Songs, Church Anthems, Hymns and other works in a religious genre. The world of Opera and English light opera are represented by the near-legendary works of Gilbert & Sullivan, Spirituals and religious folksongs, and the elegance of American composer and pianist Scott Joplin’s Rags are included in the Jazz category. The catalogue is constantly revised and updated with new works and arrangements being added on a regular basis.
GERALD MANNING - A BIOGRAPHY
Gerald Manning has been a professional viola player and teacher for over forty years, and retired from the number 4 position in the viola section of the BBC Symphony Orchestra after 29 years as a member. Previous to this he also held the sub-principal viola position in the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra from 1964 to 1968, and has recently been listed in a new web site of Composers with Merseyside Connections. He has also worked with the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House - Covent Garden, the Philharmonia and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestras of London. Since leaving the BBC Symphony Orchestra he has built a very successful teaching practice in West Sussex where he now resides, and continues to compose and coach students in Chamber Music.
With the viola section of the BBC Symphony Orchestra he has given two Wigmore Hall recitals in celebration and in the presence of the great English viola virtuoso Lionel Tertis. He had previously met Lionel Tertis in February 1962 when Tertis was living at Marryat Road in London; Bernard Shore sent his young protégée to his former teacher when he heard that Tertis had a viola available which was made to his specifications by Lovett Gill whose brother was none other than the British sculptor, engraver, and typographer Eric Gill. Tertis asked Manning to improvise a short melody and play it across the complete range of the instrument using different positions and modulations where needed and at it’s conclusion he seemed pleased for the instrument was offered to the young student. He has of course worked with some of the finest conductors, composers and soloists during his long and eventful career. He has broadcast regularly on BBC Radio 3 and Television, and his discography with the BBC Symphony, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic and Philharmonia Orchestras' is considerable.
As a Conductor he has held the post of Assistant-Conductor to James Kershaw and Worthing Citizens' Orchestra, and principal conductor to Harrow Symphony Orchestra and Herga Philharmonic Orchestra. He also Composes and his most recent works are three miniatures for Violin and Piano, a Violin Sonata, String Quartet, a Romance for Viola and Orchestra, 'HERCULANEUM' which is a large scale orchestral work with chamber choir and he has just completed his first viola sonata which is dedicated to the memory of his former teacher Bernard Shore.
Educated at Kneller Hall and the Royal College of Music he studied the viola with Bernard Shore, clarinet with Ralph Clarke, and at Kneller Hall with the legendary George Garside-principal clarinet of the London Symphony Orchestra, and it was at this time that he also had some private tuition with Frederick Riddle who was principal Viola in Sir Thomas Beecham's Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. At the Royal College of Music he studied composition with the English Composer Adrian Cruft, who was the son of the distinguished double-bass player Eugene Cruft, who Sir Thomas Beecham invited to join his newly formed orchestra of 1909.From 1929-49,Eugene Cruft was principal double-bass in the BBC Symphony Orchestra. Gerald Manning studied chamber music with Helen Just, and conducting with Harvey Philips. Professor Bernard Shore imbued and inspired him to emulate his teaching methods. After graduation, and whilst a member of the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra he secured what was to be the first of his peripatetic appointments with Cheshire Education Authority, and taught the violin and viola at Wirral Grammar School. Returning to London and the BBC Symphony Orchestra, Harrow Education Authority appointed him as a peripatetic teacher in two of their Grammar Schools. During his teaching career he received the following commendations: "Throughout the Borough of Hillingdon & Harrow, Gerald Manning was well-known & acclaimed as one of the most gifted Violin Teachers." (Retired Deputy Head-Teacher)"I was recommended to him by a Music Colleague, who gave me a glowing report of his qualities as a musician & an excellent violin teacher for children of all ages" (Private Piano Teacher - Uxbridge)" We found him to be an inspirational teacher and David did well under his tutelage. We were very satisfied with the quality of Mr Manning's Teaching." (Professor C.L.H. - Ruislip) He has also had the opportunity to study the Suzuki method on his frequent visits to Japan. He is widely travelled and speaks German and French. His hobbies are reading, travel, painting, calligraphy, and 'classic' cars, and he possesses a fine collection of instruments and bows, which include an Obermeier baby grand piano, and a beautiful unnamed English Viola of 1792.
As an author Gerald Manning has written three books, (1) Watch The Conductor (2009): a book of reminiscence, which attempts to give a brief summation of some of the great conductors the author has been privileged to play under: (2) So You Want To Play The Violin (2009): for parents with gifted children and mature adults who wish to pursue serious study on the instrument: (3) In Pursuit of Perfection; The Great Luthiers (2010): a history of the great violin makers craft dedicated in emulating the old masters in the pursuit of perfection. All three volumes are available at myebook.com.
A devout and practising Christian Gerald Manning was confirmed at Westminster Abbey on Saturday, the 23rd of March 1957 by the Lord Bishop of London.
Phone:01903 537830
Mobile: 07948586932
Email:geraldbmanning@btopenworld.com
GERALD MANNING'S ORIGINAL SCORES
A Lament: O World! O life, O time Op.11 – for tenor & string quartet
A Pastoral Ode, Op. 17 for soprano & string quartet
A setting of the Lord’s prayer for (Pater Noster) for Parish Choir & Organ
Anthem: Ave Maris Stella, Op. 19 - for parish choir & organ
Anthem: Ave Verum Corpus, Op.18 – for a cappella choir with optional organ
Anthem: Easter Morning, for SATB & organ
Anthem: Forth from the Dark & Stormy Sky, Op.37
Anthem: Miserere Mei. Deus - for a cappella choir
Anthem: Per Pacem Ad Lucem - for parish choir & organ
Anthem: Tantum Ergo – Deodat de Severac – for parish choir & string quartet
Anthem: The Lord is my shepherd (Psalm 23) - parish choir & string quartet
Anthem: Veni, Sancte Spiritus, Op. 20 – for parish choir
Anthem: Veritas Mea, Op.22 for parish choir & organ
Arthurian Romances: 4 Symphonic Tableau, Op.3 – for orchestra
Cantata: The Nativity of our Lord: Op. 27 – for solo soprano/tenor & chorus
Canzonetta for violin & piano, Op.2
Chorale: If It Should Be: Op.29, - for soprano & string quartet
Concertino for Violin & Pianoforte Op.2
Concerto for viola and orchestra, Op. 31
Concerto Grosso No.1, in G minor Op.38, - for string orchestra
Divertissement for Oboe, Violin & Viola, Op.1
English Song: Holy Thursday, Op.21 – for soprano & string quartet
English Song: Remember, Op.16 – for soprano & string quartet
English Song: What Then is Love but Mourning – for tenor & string quartet
Lament in g minor – for string orchestra Op.4
Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis Op.6, Latin text – chamber choir & string quartet
Opera Buffa: Romance with Double Bass in 1 act, Op.26
Perpetuum Mobile for Violin & Pianoforte, Op.2
Requiem for chorus & orchestra, Op.7
Romance in A minor for Viola & Orchestra, Op.8
Sonata for Violin & Pianoforte, Op.9
Sonata No.1 for Viola & Pianoforte in 4 movements, Op. 10
String Quartet No. 2 in B flat major, Op. 32
String Quartet No.1 in A minor Op.12
String Quartet No.3 in G minor, Op, 35
Symphonic Poem: Herculaneum, Op.13 - for orchestra and chorus
Symphonic Poem: The Legend of Knockgrafton, Op.33 for voices & orchestra
Symphonic Poem: The Legend of St. George, Op.25 – for chorus & orchestra
Symphony No. 3 in D major, Op.34
Symphony No.1 in F sharp major, Op.14
Symphony No.2 (Sancti Benedicti) Op.28
Three Shakespearian Sonnets Op. 30, for tenor, horn & strings
Threnody for string orchestra, Op.31
Wind Quintet No.1in E flat major/Op.36: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon & horn
Visit scoreexchange.com to listen and view these scores as well as arrangements and transcriptions of well known classics.
GERALD MANNING'S PUBLICATIONS
Watch The Conductor
Orchestral players are often thought of as leading an exciting and glamorous life-style; playing in a great orchestra the breathtaking masterpieces of musical geniuses’ such as Mozart, Beethoven, and Brahms to mention but a few, travelling in some style as musical ambassadors’ to the far-flung corners of the globe, and at the same time being inspired to give of their very best by the world’s finest masters’ of interpretation – the conductor! This then is a book of reminiscence, which attempts to give a brief summation of each Maestro I have been privileged to be associated with and at the same time outlines my own orchestral career, though I hasten to add it is not meant to be autobiographical.
2. So You Want To Play The Violin
The musical edification of the young protégé should always, and without exception be entrusted to the experienced and qualified professional teacher. It is a sad indictment of our culture today that something as important as the continuance of our musical heritage through the lineage of our children is vandalised by incompetent teachers from the classroom to the private music room. So it is imperative that this is pointed out at the onset to the serious inquirer, for bad tuition at the beginning of a child’s musical education can, and does have serious consequences later in life. For the serious student, lessons should always be conducted on a one-to-one basis, and class tuition should be avoided at all costs. Furthermore throughout my own professional career I have firmly adhered to the belief that is held by many distinguished teachers that once the services of a good expert have been procured, there is no need for further input from any other source, the true pedagogue will be capable of instructing and of seeing to every musical discipline required by the young aspirant.
3. In Pursuit of Perfection:
The Great Luthiers
What is a “Luthier”? Obviously derived from what was originally the French word luth, which means lute, the luthier (pronounced / ‘lju: ti. ər /) was originally a maker of stringed instruments (lutes, harps, viols, etc.) but later particularly of instruments of the violin family. Since the instruments of the violin family require the use of a bow the craftsmanship of lutherie is divided into two categories and requires a secondary or subordinate craftsman known as a “archetier” from the French word meaning one who makes bows. Before 1750 a luthier often made the violin as well as the bow or had it made in his studio workshop, and most bows with rare exceptions remained anonymous. Antonio Stradivarius regarded by many to be the greatest luthier ever certainly made bows or had them made for him, but by the standardization of the bow in c1785 by the Frenchman François Tourte emphasis was placed on the archetier rather than the luthier to produce such playing tools, however dissimilarities do exist between the creation of the instrument and the bow, and there are those who are passionate about the differences between these branches of the craft. A great deal of new information, which was once the secret domain of generations of luthiers and violinmaking schools, is becoming available today in order to keep the craft of the luthier alive with young makers dedicated in emulating the old masters in the pursuit of perfection.
The Shelter
The Shelter is about the violation of trust and confidence in the human condition, which produces moral and psychological conflict within a relationship amongst individuals and is generally referred to as betrayal. Two teenagers from very different backgrounds fall in love, and struggle to come to terms with their insecurities and predicaments in a highly moralistic and post-war ravaged society in which religion and the class system play a predominant part. What confuses the equation even further is that their relationship was interwoven into the fabric of a romantic love triangle in which the former lover of the main character returns to win back the character’s heart, provoking feelings of jealousy and betrayal with devastating consequences. When a presumptive social contract, trust, or confidence is broken it produces moral and psychological conflict within a relationship amongst individuals, between organizations or between organizations and individuals.
These books are available at:
myebook.com
