Papillon

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor’s Papillon for solo piano was first published in 1908 by Augener Ltd. Following George Augener’s retirement in 1910, the work along with the whole Augener catalogue (which contained no less than 24 other works by Coleridge-Taylor), was aquired by Schott and Co. Ltd. At the time both companies occupied offices on Great Marlborough Street, London.

Coleridge-Taylor was born in London and brought up in Croydon. He learnt to play the violin, was recognised as a child prodigy and at 15 was awarded a scholarship to study at the Royal College of Music with Charles Villiers Stanford, where he was a contemporary of Holst and Vaughan Williams.

Coleridge-Taylor described himself as "Anglo-African" and, despite support from his colleagues, faced racism throughout his whole career. In spite of this prejudice and his tragically early death in 1912 aged just 37, he enjoyed great success during his lifetime and his music was performed at the Proms no less than 116 times between 1898 and 1939. In contrast, since 1940 his music has only been heard there on thirteen occasions to date.

Like many works from this period, at some point in the past Papillon became out of print. Schott Music is now very pleased to present this new modern performing edition with errors and inconsistencies from the original edition now corrected.