Hipkins, Alfred James

1826-1903

Born at Westminster in 1826. When fourteen years old he entered the piano house of Broadwood & Sons, and was connected with this firm as long as he lived. He was an accomplished pianist; his performances of Chopin's compositions were excellent, and he was also master of the harpsichord. Hipkins is best known as a lecturer and authority on points connected with the piano. His lectures, given at the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, where he was a member, and before musical clubs of Oxford and Cambridge, have been translated into French, German, Italian and Japanese. Hipkins was also a fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. His works are History of Musical Pitch; Musical Scales of All Nations; contributions to the Encyclopaedia Britannica; a valuable descriptive catalog; Guide to the Loan Collection of Musical Instruments at Albert Hall; and old Keyboard Instruments.