HUTCHENS, FRANCIS (1892-1965), pianist, teacher and composer, was born on 15 January 1892 at Leeston, near Christchurch, New Zealand, son of Cornish parents Richard Lavers Hutchens, and his wife Maria Siles, née Hoskins. His father had migrated to Christchurch in 1879 and, after failing at farming and bootmaking, settled at Hawera and taught the piano. Frank was educated at Hawera District High School and when only 12 played for Paderewski, who advised him to study abroad. In 1905 he entered the Royal Academy of Music, London, and studied under Tobias Matthay and Frederick Corder. Hutchens won the Sterndale Bennett and the Thalberg scholarships, and the Chappell gold medal for pianoforte playing. In 1908 he became the youngest sub-professor yet appointed to the academy staff. Learning that his mother was ill and family funds strained, he regretfully returned home in 1911. Before leaving London he gave a recital at the Bechstein ...

Read more at the source website

Source:

Australian Dictionary of Biography