The Wilsons of Wantage, England:Information about Henry Farrow Mudd MBE
Henry Farrow Mudd MBE (b. 27 Sep 1918, d. 05 Oct 2004)
Henry Farrow Mudd |
Henry Farrow Mudd MBE (son of Joseph Robert Mudd and Annie Elizabeth Wilson) was born 27 Sep 1918 in Stokesley, North Yorkshire, and died 05 Oct 2004 in Horton General Hospital, Banbury, Oxon.
Notes for Henry Farrow Mudd MBE:
November 19, 2004
Harry Mudd
Founder of the UK's first independent label to specialise in church music
HARRY MUDD was perhaps destined to find a place in the recording industry, having built his own tape recorder in his twenties and made his mark as sound engineer for the Oxford University Dramatic Society's annual Shakespeare productions. Schooling at Saltburn-by-the-Sea in Yorkshire was followed by work in a fledgeling radio shop in Redcar. He transferred south with its owner and settled in Oxford in the late 1930s. He joined the Guild of Radio Service Engineers in 1947 and at the invitation of Oxford City Council was involved in the launch of the coaxial relay system for television, now known as cable TV.
His first commercial recordings were for the Audiovision label and included lectures given at the Duke of Edinburgh's first study conference in Oxford. Inevitably, though, his musical interests led him to the university colleges and their choirs. New College, with its choir master Sir David Lumsden, was the first to invite him to make recordings in its chapel.
The Abbey Recording Company was formed in 1962 by Mudd and Peter Myers, and released its first LP in December of that year. Abbey's Alpha label was the UK's first independent label to specialise in church music; the first recording was of Christmas carols from New College. The company's first catalogue was published in 1964. The two-LP set A World of Searching Eyes, on which boys from English preparatory schools, including several choir schools, recited poems and prose by their peers, was made in collaboration with Sir John Betjeman. It was followed by a sequel, The Searching Years, which won Gramophone magazine's Critics Award in 1968.
In his dual capacity as recording producer and sound engineer, Mudd made many early recordings with such luminaries as Stephen Cleobury, the Clerkes of Oxenford, James Galway, John Eliot Gardiner, Edward Higginbottom, Peter Hurford, the King's Singers, Benjamin Luxon and Gillian Weir. His dominant interest in church music and its traditions determined his company's direction and earned it worldwide recognition. Its continuing presence, through a burgeoning catalogue of fine recordings, documented the development of performing practice in a period when established choral traditions were variously challenged, renewed or maintained. He was appointed MBE in 1989 for his services to church music.
His brother Robert survives him.
Harry Mudd, MBE, sound engineer and producer, was born on September 27, 1918. He died on October 5, 2004, aged 86.
TIMES OBITUARY19/11/2004
FUNERAL ADDRESS
HENRY FARROW MUDD MBE
27.09.1918 - 05.10.2004
In the few minutes available how does one encapsulate a life such as that of Henry Farrow Mudd MBE - Harry to a wider world, but Uncle Henry to most of his family gathered here. A remarkable and gifted man whose life's work touched the lives of 1000s, many of whom never knew him but who have cause to give thanks, particularly for the gift of the music he made available to them. I have learnt, through the power of the internet, that even now, as I speak, there is probably someone, somewhere on this earth listening to or discussing his recordings, of which he produced, during a career spanning nearly 60 years, perhaps 700. Such was his love of and belief in his work that it mattered not whether it was recording the choir of a great cathedral or local school, his enthusiasm, understanding and patience with the young choristers was just the same. He believed he was preserving, for the enjoyment of future generations, a significant part of the spiritual and 20th century musical heritage of our nation. I'm not, however, going to dwell too long on his Abbey/Alpha creation. It is for others, more learned than I and history to judge the worth of that legacy. Uncle Henry had already made an impact on this country before Abbey/Alpha. Together with his colleague Gordon King they pioneered the first cable television service, establishing the first domestic services here in Oxford. The forerunner of today's mass cable communication network Uncle often spoke of how the government of the day resisted the idea, considering the concept a possible threat to national security. How times have changed.
But there was so much more to Uncle Henry than his recordings and technical innovation and so many people with cause to be grateful for having known him. There is a long list stretching far beyond but including many of us here today who have cause to be thankful for his generosity and kindness in times of personal difficulty. His roots were sound, set firmly in a Yorkshire family who derived their greatest pleasure from giving and being of service to others, an attribute he inherited in abundance. He was a natural magnet for anyone in trouble, not just for the practical help he would make available but also for advice. A great listener in times of difficulty, he would, quite literally, give his last penny to anyone in need and supported many charities throughout his lifetime. Possessing no interest in acquiring personal assets, he devised his own unique methods of redistributing wealth amongst the needy. He had a fierce intolerance of anything he perceived to be unjust or which caused pain and suffering and believe me there was nothing more daunting for us lesser mortals than to be with him when he was fighting some cause. Totally fearless and paying no heed to personal consequences he would charge into battle, irrespective of the forces ranged against him. Such was his determination, resilience and sheer force of character that more often than not he would achieve his objective.
Many have described him as something of an eccentric; it is true he tended to be unorthodox in much of what he did. Not for Uncle conventional fund raising for the church, for example. No, rather join the small crew of a ship sailing around Britain taking the Gospels into various ports on the way. Now for those of you who know Brixham you will be aware of the replica of the Golden Hind lying at permanent anchor in the Harbour there. Before modification this was the SPG 3 masted wooden sailing ship Centurion, the ship upon which they sailed and, as a little boy, I well remember the day a great gloom descended upon our household in Saltburn; the reason for which became evident as the BBC Home Service News and front pages of the national daily press announced that the Centurion was missing in the Irish Sea. Fortunately, after some days, they were found and towed to safety, just in time, for they were slowly sinking having sprung a leak and having lost all power. After repairs and drying out they did, of course, continue with the adventure.
Possibly his greatest gift, however, was the ability to identify with young people. From his early days working with disadvantaged children in Battersea and, as he once told me, even teaching the younger children whilst still at school himself, through many years leading various packs of sea scouts on many an adventure, to working with countless young choristers, he had the rare ability to become part of their world. They found it easy to identify with him. I think this is where he was happiest for, in truth, he was always the boy at heart. A Boys Own adventurer, having failed for medical reasons to become at first a fighter pilot and then a sub mariner he created his own adventures in which the young people around him could participate. And, in times of trouble, he was always there for them, a shoulder to cry on, a surrogate father even.
Well Uncle's adventures through this life are over. He would want us to remember him but I can say, with certainty, that he would not wish us to be sorrowful. Quite the contrary he would want us to wave him off with a smile and have a celebration in recognition of his life and achievements. For some time he has believed his work here to be complete and has spoken of his readiness to, in his words "cast of this mortal coil". His bag has been packed, cables coiled, microphones boxed and the somewhat tattered mixers stowed. Somewhat impatiently at times he has waited for the ultimate accolade, the invitation to record that greatest of all musical congregations; the Celestial Choir. Well at long last the call has come and his journey has begun.What a session that will be. When I next here the sound of thunder I will, just for a moment, wonder whether this could be Uncle's latest disagreement about recording levels, microphone positions, musical content even, this time with that master of all Musical Directors.
Thank you for being our friend Uncle and may God bless you.
Tony Wilson
21.10.04
More About Henry Farrow Mudd MBE:
Burial: 19 Nov 2004, Ashes buried Saltburn- by - the - sea & Commondale, N. Yorkshire.
Cremation: 21 Oct 2004, Cremated Oxford Crematorium, Ashes buried in parents grave, Saltburn by the Sea & Commondale Moor.
Occupation: Sound Engineer & Record Producer Abbey & Alpha Records.