Conductor, Composer. Born Harold Malcolm Watts Sargent in Ashford, Kent, England, he was known by his middle name throughout his life. He earned an Associateship diploma from the Royal College of Organists at 16 and became the assistant as organist at Peterborough Cathedral. In 1914 he earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Durham and became parish organist of Melton Mowbray. during the First World War, Sargent saw national service with the 27th Durham Light Infantry. After his discharge, he earned a Doctorate in music, the youngest person in England to hold that degree He made his debut as a conductor at Queen's Hall in 1921. In 1923 he became lecturer at the Royal College of Music. In 1928 he became conductor of the Royal Choral Society, a positioan he retained for the rest of his life. In 1932 he co-founded the London Philharmonic Orchestra with Sir Thomas Beecham. From 1939 to 1942 he was chief conductor of the Hallé Orchestra, and from 1943 to 1949 led the Liverpool Philharmonic. He was knighted in 1947 and toured many of Commonwealth Nations, during which he was dubbed an unofficial musical ambassador for Britain. In 1950 Sargent took over as head conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra holding the reins until 1957. In the course of his career he recorded for all of the major labels in Britain and was considered to be among the finest choral conductors in English history. By the 1960s, Sargent's legendary hyperactivity slowed due to declining health. He died in London at age 72, leaving behind an endowment for The Malcolm Cancer Fund. A primary school in Stamford, Lincolnshire is named in his honor.
Conductor, Composer. Born Harold Malcolm Watts Sargent in Ashford, Kent, England, he was known by his middle name throughout his life. He earned an Associateship diploma from the Royal College of Organists at 16 and became the assistant as organist at Peterborough Cathedral. In 1914 he earned a Bachelor of Music degree from Durham and became parish organist of Melton Mowbray. during the First World War, Sargent saw national service with the 27th Durham Light Infantry. After his discharge, he earned a Doctorate in music, the youngest person in England to hold that degree He made his debut as a conductor at Queen's Hall in 1921. In 1923 he became lecturer at the Royal College of Music. In 1928 he became conductor of the Royal Choral Society, a positioan he retained for the rest of his life. In 1932 he co-founded the London Philharmonic Orchestra with Sir Thomas Beecham. From 1939 to 1942 he was chief conductor of the Hallé Orchestra, and from 1943 to 1949 led the Liverpool Philharmonic. He was knighted in 1947 and toured many of Commonwealth Nations, during which he was dubbed an unofficial musical ambassador for Britain. In 1950 Sargent took over as head conductor of the BBC Symphony Orchestra holding the reins until 1957. In the course of his career he recorded for all of the major labels in Britain and was considered to be among the finest choral conductors in English history. By the 1960s, Sargent's legendary hyperactivity slowed due to declining health. He died in London at age 72, leaving behind an endowment for The Malcolm Cancer Fund. A primary school in Stamford, Lincolnshire is named in his honor.
Bio by: Iola
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