Composer. Born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, the fourth of fourteen children of immigrant German parents, the young Delius was educated at Bradford Grammar School. In 1884 he left the family home to take control of an orange plantation in Florida, which was followed by two years of studying in Leipzig, Germany. 1888 brought another move, this time to Paris, France, and in 1896, Frederick met a painter by the name of Jelka Rosen (q.v.). The following year saw the couple settle in Grez-sur-Loing, near Fontainebleau, and in 1903, they married. It was from this time that Delius was at his most productive, but from the early 1920's, he was afflicted with paralysis and blindness, the result of syphilis contracted in 1890. In 1928, Delius resumed his work through the services of Eric Fenby as his amanuensis. He died in Grez-sur-Loing in 1934, with Jelka surviving him by just one year. The two are buried together.
Best known perhaps for his violin works including his famed "Violin Concerto" (1916), and four sonatas, this instrument was one of only two (the piano being the other) that Delius ever really mastered. However, Delius actually composed many other works, including six operas. Of these, "Irmelin" (1892) and "Koanga" (1904) are the most notable. For many though, Frederick Delius is best remembered as the quintessentially English Composer of such melodious orchestral works as "The Walk To The Paradise Garden" (1907), "Summer Night On The River" (1912), and the endearing "On Hearing The First Cuckoo In Spring" (also 1912). Other major works include ; "The Florida Suite" (1886), "Paris - The Song Of A Great City" (1899), "Appalachia" (1902), "Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody" (1907), "In A Summer Garden" (1908), which celebrated his own garden in France, the opera "Fennimore and Gerda" (1919), and "Caprice and Elegy" for cello and orchestra (1925). This last piece was dedicated to the well-known cellist, Beatrice Harrison, who is buried only yards from Delius.
Best known perhaps for his violin works including his famed "Violin Concerto" (1916), and four sonatas, this instrument was one of only two (the piano being the other) that Delius ever really mastered. However, Delius actually composed many other works, including six operas. Of these, "Irmelin" (1892) and "Koanga" (1904) are the most notable. For many though, Frederick Delius is best remembered as the quintessentially English Composer of such melodious orchestral works as "The Walk To The Paradise Garden" (1907), "Summer Night On The River" (1912), and the endearing "On Hearing The First Cuckoo In Spring" (also 1912). Other major works include ; "The Florida Suite" (1886), "Paris - The Song Of A Great City" (1899), "Appalachia" (1902), "Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody" (1907), "In A Summer Garden" (1908), which celebrated his own garden in France, the opera "Fennimore and Gerda" (1919), and "Caprice and Elegy" for cello and orchestra (1925). This last piece was dedicated to the well-known cellist, Beatrice Harrison, who is buried only yards from Delius.
Composer. Born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, the fourth of fourteen children of immigrant German parents, the young Delius was educated at Bradford Grammar School. In 1884 he left the family home to take control of an orange plantation in Florida, which was followed by two years of studying in Leipzig, Germany. 1888 brought another move, this time to Paris, France, and in 1896, Frederick met a painter by the name of Jelka Rosen (q.v.). The following year saw the couple settle in Grez-sur-Loing, near Fontainebleau, and in 1903, they married. It was from this time that Delius was at his most productive, but from the early 1920's, he was afflicted with paralysis and blindness, the result of syphilis contracted in 1890. In 1928, Delius resumed his work through the services of Eric Fenby as his amanuensis. He died in Grez-sur-Loing in 1934, with Jelka surviving him by just one year. The two are buried together.
Best known perhaps for his violin works including his famed "Violin Concerto" (1916), and four sonatas, this instrument was one of only two (the piano being the other) that Delius ever really mastered. However, Delius actually composed many other works, including six operas. Of these, "Irmelin" (1892) and "Koanga" (1904) are the most notable. For many though, Frederick Delius is best remembered as the quintessentially English Composer of such melodious orchestral works as "The Walk To The Paradise Garden" (1907), "Summer Night On The River" (1912), and the endearing "On Hearing The First Cuckoo In Spring" (also 1912). Other major works include ; "The Florida Suite" (1886), "Paris - The Song Of A Great City" (1899), "Appalachia" (1902), "Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody" (1907), "In A Summer Garden" (1908), which celebrated his own garden in France, the opera "Fennimore and Gerda" (1919), and "Caprice and Elegy" for cello and orchestra (1925). This last piece was dedicated to the well-known cellist, Beatrice Harrison, who is buried only yards from Delius.
Best known perhaps for his violin works including his famed "Violin Concerto" (1916), and four sonatas, this instrument was one of only two (the piano being the other) that Delius ever really mastered. However, Delius actually composed many other works, including six operas. Of these, "Irmelin" (1892) and "Koanga" (1904) are the most notable. For many though, Frederick Delius is best remembered as the quintessentially English Composer of such melodious orchestral works as "The Walk To The Paradise Garden" (1907), "Summer Night On The River" (1912), and the endearing "On Hearing The First Cuckoo In Spring" (also 1912). Other major works include ; "The Florida Suite" (1886), "Paris - The Song Of A Great City" (1899), "Appalachia" (1902), "Brigg Fair - An English Rhapsody" (1907), "In A Summer Garden" (1908), which celebrated his own garden in France, the opera "Fennimore and Gerda" (1919), and "Caprice and Elegy" for cello and orchestra (1925). This last piece was dedicated to the well-known cellist, Beatrice Harrison, who is buried only yards from Delius.
Bio by: Steve Brown
Gravesite Details
From the entrance, follow the path in front of the Church (parallel with the High Street). Keeping the Church on your right, follow the path round the Church and take the first pathway on the left (again parallel with the road).
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