When and where was Peter Branscombe born?
Peter John Branscombe entered the world on the 7th of December 1929 in Sittingbourne, Kent. He grew up playing cricket at Dulwich College before serving his military service in Vienna, Austria.
Questions about Peter Branscombe
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What academic positions did Peter Branscombe hold during his career?
Branscombe joined the University of St Andrews faculty of German Studies in 1959 and held this post until the end of his life after a brief stint at Lancing College. In 1979 he founded St Andrews' Institute for Austrian Studies which stood as the only such research facility in the United Kingdom during that era.
Which composers and literary figures did Peter Branscombe study extensively?
He wrote extensive works on composers such as Joseph Haydn, Mozart and Schubert while examining Viennese suburban theatre through authors like Raimund and Nestroy. His unpublished dissertation explored connections between drama and music from 1781 to around 1855 referencing forms of parody found within the Leopoldstädter Theater.
What publications did Peter Branscombe contribute to or edit?
Branscombe contributed articles to The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and the Wagner-Handbuch while editing six Possen for the historical-critical edition of Nestroy's complete works between 1996 and 2001. Eight essays appeared under the title Austrian Life and Literature published by Scottish Academic Press in 1978.
When did Peter Branscombe die and how old was he?
Peter John Branscombe died from cancer at his home in St Andrews on the 31st of December 2008. He was 79 years old when he passed away after retiring from teaching in the final years of his life but continuing writing throughout retirement.