Dates

• Existence: 1922 - 1993

Biography

Peter Andrew Tranchell 1922-1993 British composer and teacher of music Born in India in 1922, his father Lieutenant-Colonel Henry George Tranchell, was British Consul at Pondicherry, 1920-1936. Peter returned to England to live in Eastbourne with his grandfather, Frank Hugh Theodore Phillips and his aunt, where he went to school at Knockmaroon School, Eastbourne. Peter continued his education at the Dragon School, Oxford 1930-36 and at Clifton College, Bristol 1936-41. Peter Tranchell went up to King's College, Cambridge to read Classics, but his university education was interrupted by the war. He served with the Royal Corps of Signals, 1942-46, mainly in Malta and later in Greece. Returning to King's College in 1946, Tranchell read Music and was awarded the Mus.B in 1949 and MA n 1950. Tranchell was appointed as music master at Eastbourne College, Eastboarne but returned to Cambridge in 1950 as University Assistant Lecturer in Music, becoming University Lecturer in 1953. Tranchell was appointed Fellow and Director of Music at Gonville and Caius College in 1960, and Precentor in 1962, positions he held until his retirement in 1989. Tranchell composed a variety of dramatic works, including operas, ballets and concert entertainments. For the students of Gonville and Caius, he made a large number of arrangements and editions of mostly choral works. He also wrote a great deal of church music, including settings of psalms. Of Tranchell's works, it is probable that 'The Mayor of Casterbridge' (1951) and 'Zuleika' (1954) received most critical acclaim. Tranchell had a wide range of interests, and engaged with a number of Cambridge organisations, most notably Cambridge University Footlights Dramatic Club, Cambridge University Music Club, Cambridge University Opera group and Cambridge Arts Theatre. He served on several committees within Gonville and Caius College. Tranchell was invited to participate in a wide range of educational activities outside of the University, foremost of which were several series of radio broadcasts for schools by the BBC. Tranchell was also a music critic for a number of Cambridge journals and newspapers.

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