Norman Cocker
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Norman Cocker (30 November 1889 — 15 November 1953) was a British organist, choir master and composer of church music, educational and light music.
Cocker was born in Sowerby Bridge, Yorkshire, England, and became a chorister at Magdalen College, Oxford. He was awarded the Organ Scholarship at Merton College, Oxford, but never completed his degree after being sent down, on his own admission, for not doing enough work. While at Oxford he conducted an ensemble called the Oxford University Light Music Orchestra, taking his amateur players through Archibald Joyce waltzes and selections from The Merry Widow. Norman Cocker held the diploma of ARCO, obtained by examination in July 1911, winning the Lafontaine Prize for the highest marks that session in the playing tests.
In the First World War Cocker served with the 16th Lancashire Fusiliers. He also learned to play every instrument of the orchestra during the war years.
He was appointed Assistant Organist at Manchester Cathedral in 1920 under Archibald W. Wilson, becoming Organist and choral master there in 1943, and later held appointments in various churches and cinemas in the city, including Organist at the Gaumont Cinema in Oxford Street (demolished in 1990).
Norman Cocker is today remembered mainly for his organ compositions, particularly Tuba Tune (1922), still often performed today and recorded many times. There is also a modern edition of four short organ pieces: Angelus, Trio, Interlude and Paean which have been recorded by Simon Lindley. Other works include choral anthems and hymns, and also several symphonies especially written for school orchestras, including the orchestra at Chetham's School. Keith Swallow and John Wilson have recorded his Eight Piano Duets, Op. 5 (1913-15).
Cocker was also an amateur magician and a good cook.
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- We Wait for Thy Loving Kindness, O God - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- Feast Song for Saint Cecilia - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- A Hymn to St. Etheldreda - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- Jesus refulsit omnium - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- Faithful Shepherd - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- Magnificat - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- King of Glory, King of Peace - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- Almighty and Everlasting God, Who Hatest Nothing - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- Set Me as a Seal Upon Thine Heart - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- Seek Ye the Lord - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- This Is the Work of Christ - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- Salve regina - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- Tuba Tune - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Refuge - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- Kyrie lux et origo - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- I Saw the Lord - Sing, Precious Music - Norman Cocker
- Grand March - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
- Tannhäuser, WWV 70: Pilgrim Chorus (Transcr. F. Liszt for Organ) - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
- Samson et Dalila, Op. 47: Bacchanale (Transcr. T. Heywood for Organ) - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
- Finlandia, Op. 26, No. 7 (Transcr. for Organ) - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
- Tuba Tune - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
- Berenice, HWV 38: Minuet (Transcr. W.T. Best for Organ) - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
- Suite gothique, Op. 25: I. Introduction - Choral - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
- Suite gothique, Op. 25: II. Menuet gothique - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
- Suite gothique, Op. 25: III. Prière à Notre-Dame - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
- Suite gothique, Op. 25: IV. Toccata - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
- Organ Sonata in G Major, Op. 28: I. Allegro maestoso - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
- Water Music Suite No. 2, HWV 349: II. Alla hornpipe (Transcr. for Organ) - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
- Organ Symphony No. 5 in F Minor, Op. 42 No. 1: V. Toccata - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
- Marche funèbre d'une marionnette, CG 583 (Transcr. W.T. Best for Organ) - The Living Tradition - Norman Cocker
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