Person Results

George Frideric Handel

1685 - 1759 Person Name: G. F. Handel Composer of "CHRISTMAS" in Bible Songs George Frideric Handel (b. Halle, Germany, 1685; d. London, England, 1759) became a musician and composer despite objections from his father, who wanted him to become a lawyer. Handel studied music with Zachau, organist at the Halle Cathedral, and became an accomplished violinist and keyboard performer. He traveled and studied in Italy for some time and then settled permanently in England in 1713. Although he wrote a large number of instrumental works, he is known mainly for his Italian operas, oratorios (including Messiah, 1741), various anthems for church and royal festivities, and organ concertos, which he interpolated into his oratorio performances. He composed only three hymn tunes, one of which (GOPSAL) still appears in some modern hymnals. A number of hymnal editors, including Lowell Mason, took themes from some of Handel's oratorios and turned them into hymn tunes; ANTIOCH is one example, long associated with “Joy to the World.” Bert Polman

Henry J. Gauntlett

1805 - 1876 Person Name: Henry John Gauntlett, 1805-76 Composer of "ST. FULBERT" in The Church Hymnary (3rd Ed.) Henry J. Gauntlett (b. Wellington, Shropshire, July 9, 1805; d. London, England, February 21, 1876) When he was nine years old, Henry John Gauntlett (b. Wellington, Shropshire, England, 1805; d. Kensington, London, England, 1876) became organist at his father's church in Olney, Buckinghamshire. At his father's insistence he studied law, practicing it until 1844, after which he chose to devote the rest of his life to music. He was an organist in various churches in the London area and became an important figure in the history of British pipe organs. A designer of organs for William Hill's company, Gauntlett extended the organ pedal range and in 1851 took out a patent on electric action for organs. Felix Mendelssohn chose him to play the organ part at the first performance of Elijah in Birmingham, England, in 1846. Gauntlett is said to have composed some ten thousand hymn tunes, most of which have been forgotten. Also a supporter of the use of plainchant in the church, Gauntlett published the Gregorian Hymnal of Matins and Evensong (1844). Bert Polman

Alexander Robert Reinagle

1799 - 1877 Person Name: Alexander Robert Reinagle, 1799-1877 Composer of "ST PETER (REINAGLE)" in The Irish Presbyterian Hymnbook Alexander Robert Reinagle United Kingdom 1799-1877. Born at Brighton, Sussex, England, gf Austrian descent, he came from a family of musicians, studying music with his father (a cellist), then with Raynor Taylor in Edinburgh, Scotland. Reinagle became a well-known organ teacher. He became organist at St Peter’s Church, Oxford (1823-1853). He was also a theatre musician. He wrote Teaching manuals for stringed instruments as well. He also compiled books of hymn tunes, one in 1830: “Psalm tunes for the voice and the pianoforte”, the other in 1840: “A collection of Psalm and hymn tunes”. He also composed waltzes. In 1846 he married Caroline Orger, a pianist, composer, and writer in her own right. No information found regarding children. In the 1860s he was active in Oxford music-making and worked with organist, John Stainer, then organist at Magdalen College. Reinagle also composed a piano sonata and some church music. At retirement he moved to Kidlington, Oxfordshire, England. He died at Kidlington. John Perry

William Shrubsole

1760 - 1806 Person Name: W. Shrubsole Composer of "MILES LANE" in Hymns, Psalms and Gospel Songs William Shrubsole (bap. 1760, d. 1806), organist. United Kingdom.When young, he sang in the choir at Canterbury Cathedral, He became organist at Bangor Cathedral, when he was dismissed for attending non-comformist meetings. He then became organist of Spa Fields Chapel, London, holding that post until his death. He was a successful teacher. He was an alto singer and sung at Westminster Abbey and Drury Lane churches. He knew Edward Perronet, who wrote the words to the hymn he composed music for. Perronet left Schrubsole property in his will. John Perry Not to be confused with W. (William) Shrubsole 1759-1829 bank clerk and hymn writer.

Jeremiah Clarke

1669 - 1707 Person Name: Jeremiah Clark, 1670 - 1707 Composer (attributed to) of "BISHOPTHORPE" in The Hymnary of the United Church of Canada

Samuel Howard

1710 - 1782 Person Name: Samuel Howard, 1710 - 1782 Composer (attributed to) of "HOWARD" in The Book of Praise Samuel Howard, Mus. Doc.; b. in England, 1710,; d. 1782 Evangelical Lutheran Hymnal, 1908

Thomas Clark

1775 - 1859 Composer of "CREDITON" in The Presbyterian Book of Praise Baptized: February 5, 1775, Canterbury, Kent, England. Died: May 30, 1859, at his home in St. George’s Street, Canterbury, Kent, England. A cobbler and choir trainer, Clark led the singing of the Psalms at the Wesleyan Chapel, Canterbury, and later at the Unitarian Church in Canterbury. It has been claimed he never actually joined the Unitarians, though he sympathized with them, and he resigned from the Methodists. Clark wrote a number of anthems, including "Awake Up, My Glory", "Daughter of Zion" and "Since I Have Placed My Trust." His other works include: First Sett of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, 1805 Second Sett of Psalm and Hymn Tunes, circa 1810 Congregational Harmonist, 4 volumes (1828 to circa 1835) The Sacred Gleaner, 1830 The Union Tune-Book, 1837 (co-editor) Union Harmonist, 1841 Harmonized the second edition of the Union Tune Book for the Sunday School Union, 1842 The Juvenile Harmonist, 1842 David’s Harp—A Series of Original Tunes Composed Expressly to the Psalter, 1843 The Seraphim or Sacred Harmonist, 1843 British Psalmody, with Alexander Hume (Edinburgh, Scotland: 1844) --www.hymntime.com/tch/