Alexander Campbell Mackenzie (b Edinburgh, 22 Aug 1847; d London, 28 April 1935) was a Scottish composer, who was educated at the Royal Academy of Music, (of which he was later to become the Principal) He had further studies in Germany, where he made the acquaintance of Franz Liszt. (Unlike most of his English contemporaries he was brought up to music as a fiddler and an orchestral player rather than as an organist.) He was an indefatigable organiser both in London and in Scotland and an adventurous conductor. As a composer he endeavoured to blend Scottish nationalism, with advanced German romantic expression. Examples of this fusion are The Cotter's Saturday Night, to a text by Robert Burns, set for chorus and orchestra, his Scottish Rhapsodies and his Pibroch suite for violin). He wrote oratorios which were perhaps less successful, musically, and technically than his orchestral pieces, good deal of effective theatre music. He also composed two operas: The Cricket on the Hearth (1902) and The Eve of St. John (1924) and much chamber music.
A Musician's Narrative by
Alexander Campbell Mackenzie is a fascinating account of his life and career.
Published by Cassells and Co. London in 1927, it offers insights into his
experiences as a violinist, organist, conductor, composer, and educator. The
narrative provides a detailed look at his efforts to establish a National Opera
in Britain, his interactions with notable figures like Carl Rosa, Franz Liszt
and Anton Rubenstein as well as his reflections on the challenges and triumphs
of his career. It is an essential read for anyone interested in the history of Victorian
and Edwardian British music and Mackenzie's contributions to it.
The British weekly magazine Punch,
or The London Charivari, established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and
Ebenezer Landells. Its special brand of satire and humour soon made it popular.
Topic covered included social, political, and cultural matters. It was the earliest
journal to uses the term “cartoon” in its modern sense.
On 7 December 1927 (p.27) it
published this humorous poem as a “review” of Mackenzie’s new volume. It also
notes the composer passing his eightieth year.
Mackenzie, good Sir Alexander,
For many years, the wise commander
Of the historic Music school,
Which greatly prospered by his rule,
Has happily been moved to give,
In A Musician's Narrative,
The record of the strenuous part
He played in furthering native art,
As teacher and administrator,
Player, conductor and creator;
Wielding a pen—although he's eighty -
Witty and gay as well as weighty.
Of all the greatest in the muster
That lent the old regime its lustre
He has some first-hand tale to tell,
And tells it excellently well –
Of Liszt and Rubinstein and "Joe,"
And all the stars of long ago.
For, to be frank, our dear Mackenzie
Finds little more than sound and frenzy,
In short, what younger folk call" tripe,"
In music of the latest type.
Here, otherwise benign, and mellow,
He's prone to seeing red and yellow,
And finds a gloomy satisfaction
In noting symptoms of reaction.
With this small cavil,
I commend His genial book (which Cassell's send)
As worthy of an honoured friend,
Known and admired since '84,
Old " Mac," four-square, though now four-score.
“Joe” could be one of a number of characters. Most likely it refers to the great Joseph Joachim (1831-1907) was a Hungarian violinist, conductor, composer, and teacher, and known to Mackenzie.
