Scott, Cyril (Meir) (1879–1970)

English composer and poet. During the Edwardian era he was known as ‘the English Debussy’ on account of his harmonic lushness. In 1913, Alma Mahler, the composer's widow, invited him to Vienna, where he gave some performances. During World War I some of his works were produced in England and in 1925 the opera The Alchemist was performed, in German, at Essen.

He played the piano and began to compose as a child. He studied under Humperdinck and Knorr at the Hoch Conservatory, Frankfurt, 1892–93 and 1895–98. In 1898 he settled at Liverpool as a pianist and gave some lessons, and soon after the turn of the century he began to become known as a composer in London, having some works performed and a number of songs and piano pieces published.

Later he wrote prose prolifically on subjects connected with yoga and philosophy. He wrote two autobiographies, My Years of Indiscretion (1924), and Bone of Contention (1969).

Works Opera and stage opera The Alchemist (1917); ballet The Incompetent Apothecary (1923).

Orchestral and choral La Belle Dame sans merci (Keats), Nativity Hymn (Milton), Let us now praise famous men for chorus and orchestra (1935); two symphonies, piano concerto, violin concerto.

Other three string quartets; piano music, songs.