David Iliff (1939-2024)

We're sad to share news of our dear friend and colleague David Iliff, who passed away last week aged 85.

Noel Tredinnick writes:

"David Iliff will be remembered as a major musical bastion in the history of Jubilate Hymns. As a long serving Director, he spoke his mind, and his crafted musical compositions were as sharp as his wit. Through the contact he afforded us with his brother, Malcolm, Jubilate was steered into the digital age with their formation of our first website.

David was more of an accomplished arranger than original composer. He was also a seasoned and skilled music editor. How interesting he should die exactly four weeks after another David, whom he succeeded. David Wilson was music editor of Hymns for Today’s Church, and David Iliff took over from him as music editor of three further, distinctive Jubilate tomes (with Hodders and Mayhew) that followed on: Carols for Today; Psalms for Today; and Sing Glory.

David Iliff had a special touch arranging folk songs, and reharmonising hymn tunes: and his creative mountain peak is surely his iconic harmonisation of 'Lord for the Years' that continues to be published and used worldwide.

I first encountered David in our Cleveland Street flat in about 1977, as we began assembling HTC. As organist at the time of Emmanuel Church, Northwood, contributing author and vicar there, Richard Bewes, wanted to encourage him by giving him a seat at the musical table of our new, emerging, hymn book. David immediately established his solid credentials in knowledge and theoretical practice of classical music and congregational practice.

After the Northwood chapter, he moved to Brussels as music director of the International School there, a post he enjoyed holding for 20 years. David then retired to Malvern, where he regularly attended services at the Priory Church until ill health prevented him doing so.

May David now find eternal peace and rest, and enjoy the even greater harmonies and sonorities of the heavenly spheres. Those of us who knew about it, are so thankful for the immense amount of commitment, knowledge, time, and skill, he poured into Jubilate as a long term writer, editor, and director for over forty years."

See also here to access David's many tunes and arrangements.