Edmund Rubbra; One of Britain’s Most Prolific Composers

English composer Edmund Rubbra, who studied under Gustav Holst and wrote works ranging from symphonies to chamber music, died Thursday at age 84, two weeks after suffering a stroke.

Rubbra, one of Britain’s most prolific composers, began work at 14 as a rail clerk but won a music scholarship to Reading University, where he studied with Holst for a year.

He wrote 10 symphonies; two overtures; concertos for piano, violin and viola; chamber music, and many choral compositions, including religious works. He was a devout Roman Catholic.

Rubbra, a former professor of composition at the Guildhall School of Music in London and senior lecturer in music at Oxford University, also gave concerts as a pianist.