Earby conductor's tribute to Titanic band-master Wallace Hartley (From Craven Herald)

Earby conductor's tribute to Titanic band-master Wallace Hartley

12:10pm Friday 10th February 2012 in Leisure

An Earby man has composed a concerto to honour a local violinist who died playing music as the Titanic sunk.

Composer Peter Young was inspired to create the piece by the bravery of Colne’s Wallace Hartley.

Mr Wallace was a violinist and bandmaster on the ill-fated liner Titanic when it sank off the coast of Newfoundland in April 1912.

“Many people have been moved by Wallace’s bravery in keeping up the spirits of passengers and crew during the Titanic’s final two hours,” said Mr Young, of Brookfield Way.

“As a musician, I feel honoured to compose a piece specially about Colne’s famous son, who died so tragically, so young. I felt inspired by his life and bravery to compose the piece, but haven’t yet given it a fitting title.”

Mr Young, who works at Skipton Music Centre, added: “The final movement is an elegy based on Nearer My God To Thee, the hymn which some survivors said was the last music they heard Wallace’s band play as the Titanic sank.”

Mr Young wrote all four movements of the 18-minute concerto in two months.

Now Pendle Council, which is co-ordinating a festival of events to mark the Titanic’s centenary, is asking people to name the concerto.

Vaughan Jones, Pendle’s tourism and community initiatives manager, said: “It’s a more serious and moving competition than ‘name that tune’. This gives people the chance to name a lasting tribute to Colne’s Titanic hero.

“Peter Young’s unique concerto is in four movements and the title could be inspired by these and also by the dramatic event which tragically cut short Wallace Hartley’s life.” The person who provides the name will win two free tickets to the concerto’s world premiere at Holy Trinity Church, Colne, on June 17.

Mr Young, 65, had piano lessons before starting school and was given a violin for his fourth birthday. He could read music before he could read books.

“I can’t remember learning to read music,” he said. “It’s always come naturally to me.”

To enter the competition, e-mail the title along with an explanation (up to 50 words) to vaughan.jones@pendle. gov.uk or send entries to Vaughan Jones, Tourism and Community Initiatives Manager, Elliott House, Market Square, Nelson, Lancashire, BB9 OLX. The winner will be announced by April 12.

For further details about the competition and the Titanic festival visit pendle.gov.uk or visitpendle.com.