Robert Farquharson Sharp

“ On his return to England he devoted himself to teaching music, and won considerable distinction as a performer on the piano and the organ. Shortly after he settled in London, at the age of twenty-four, he achieved a success with an oratorio, ‘David;’ and again, three years later, with a second oratorio, ‘Joseph.’ Both works were written for the Liverpool Philharmonic Society. ”

“ HOLCOMBE, HENRY (1690?–1750?) , musical composer, was born about 1690, probably at Shrewsbury, and was a chorister there. While still a boy he came to London, and took part in the ‘Anglo-Italian’ operatic performances at Drury Lane. His two recorded impersonations are Prenesto in ‘Camilla’ in 1706, and again in 1708, and the Page in ‘Rosamund,’ 1707. He left the stage when his voice broke, and became a successful teacher of singing and of the harpsichord. He died in London about 1750. ”

“ On his final return to England he was commissioned by J. S. Arnold to compose music for his drama 'Nourjahad,' which he wished to convert into an opera for the opening of the 'New Theatre Royal, Lyceum, and English Opera House' (the present Lyceum Theatre) , which was then being rebuilt after the fire of 1830. The opera was produced in July 1834, and the music considered vastly superior to the libretto. ”

“ Immyns's voice, a strong but not very flexible alto, was excellently suited for the performance of madrigals. In 1741 he founded the Madrigal Society. Its original members were mostly mechanics, Spitalfields weavers, and the like. At their meetings, which were held in an alehouse in Bride Lane, Fleet Street, to vary the entertainment of singing catches, madrigals, rounds, &c., Immyns would sometimes read by way of lecture a chapter of Zarlino translated by himself. In various years he filled the annual office of president of the society. ”

“ Jenkins is credited with having been the earliest English composer of instrumental music. His only known publication of this description is ‘Twelve Sonatas for two Violins and a Base, with a Thorough Base for the Organ or Theorbo',’ London, 1660, reprinted at Amsterdam, 1664. ”

“ JACKSON, WILLIAM (1730–1803) , musical composer, known as Jackson of Exeter, born 28 May 1730, was the son of an Exeter grocer, who afterwards became master of the city workhouse. After receiving some musical instruction from John Silvester, organist of Exeter Cathedral, Jackson was sent in 1748 to London, to become a pupil of John Travers, organist to the Chapel Royal. In 1767 he wrote the music for an adaptation of Milton's ‘Lycidas,’ which was produced at Covent Garden on 4 Nov. ”

“ In 1829 he joined with Melrose the singer and John Kemble Chapman in taking the Tottenham Street Theatre for the purpose of producing English operas, seceding from the management a year later in consequence of heavy penalties incurred by the lessees through certain infringements of the rights of the ‘patent theatres.’ He then became co-lessee of Drury Lane with Captain Polhill, but retired after a single season. ”

“ In 1676 Mace was living with his wife in 'St. Buttolph's Parish, near Queens Colledge, Cambridge.' In 1690, according to Fétis, Mace came to London, set up an establishment for the sale of music and musical instruments, and gave lessons upon the theorbo, lute, and viol, and instruction in composition. ”

“ KNYVETT, CHARLES (1752–1822) , musician, descended from the family of Knyvet or Knyvett of Fundenhall, Norfolk, was born in 1752. He possessed a fine alto voice, and was one of the chief singers at the Handel commemoration of 1784. On 6 Nov. 1786 he was appointed gentleman of the Chapel Royal. In 1789, in partnership with Samuel Harrison, he directed a series of oratorio performances at Covent Garden. ”

“ Hawkins states that Humfrey 'composed tunes for many of the songs in the "Theater of Music," "Treasury of Music," and other collections in his time, particularly to the song "When Aurelia first I courted," which was a favourite.' Several of his songs were included in `Choice Ayres, Songs, and Dialogs,' 1676-84, and a few are reprinted in J. S. Smith's 'Musica Antiqua.' Manuscripts of songs and duets by Humfrey are preserved in the Fitzwilliam Museum and the Additional MSS. in the British Museum. ”

“ He was an innovator in the days of Alphonso, Lupo, Coperario, Lawes, &c., who were musicians of fame under King Charles I, and superinduced a more airy sort of composition, wherein he had a fluent and happy fancy. ”

“ Some years later he became a member of the Catch Club, and in 1763 won three of the prizes then offered for the first time by the club with his canons ‘Alleluja!’ and ‘Miserere Nobis,’ and a glee, ‘Melting airs soft joys inspire.’ In 1754 he acted as deputy steward, and in 1763 as conductor, at the meeting of the Three Choirs at Gloucester. ”

“ KENT, JAMES (1700–1776) , organist and composer, born at Winchester on 13 March 1700, was admitted in November 1711 as chorister of Winchester Cathedral. From 1714 to 1718 he was a chorister of the Chapel Royal, under Dr. William Croft [q. v.] In 1718, through the influence of the subdean (the Rev. John Dolben) , he was appointed organist to the parish church of Finedon, Northamptonshire. ‘An organ stool, still preserved at Finedon, on which Kent carved “J. K., 1717,” probably records an anticipatory visit’ (Bemrose) . ”

“ More profitable was the acquaintance he contracted with the three brothers Pring and John Wall Callcott [q. v.] By them he was encouraged to attempt glee-writing, the branch of art in which he afterwards established his reputation. ”

“ HENLEY, PHOCION (1728–1764) , musical composer, nephew of Sir Robert Henley, earl of Northington, lord chancellor [q. v.] , was born at Wootton Abbots in Dorsetshire in 1728. He matriculated at Wadham College, Oxford, 7 May 1746, and graduated B.A. on 14 Feb. 1749. As an undergraduate he spent much time in the study of music. ”

“ The following year he returned to London and appeared at the Haymarket, to which theatre he was appointed musical conductor in 1827. Shortly before this he had started a music shop in the Quadrant, Regent Street. ”

“ Bac. at Oxford, his exercise being an anthem, ‘When Israel came out of Egypt.’ In the course of the next year the Vocal Concerts were revived, and Horsley wrote for them several glees and songs, as well as some instrumental pieces, including three symphonies. In 1802 he succeeded Dr. Callcott as organist to the Asylum, and held the appointment until 1854. In 1813 he joined Clementi, Bishop, Smart, Attwood, Cramer, and others in founding the Philharmonic Society. From 1812 to 1837 Horsley also fulfilled the duties of organist at the new Belgrave Chapel in Halkin Street. ”

“ It was duly published by subscription, at twelve shillings a copy, in 1676, as 'Mustek's Monument ; or a Remembrancer of the best Practical Musick, both divine and civil, that has ever been known to be in the World.' An adequate analytical description of the book, which is quaintly written, is given in Hawkins's 'History of Music.' Burnet calls it matchless, and Southey devotes four chapters of his 'Doctor' to a discussion of its merits. ”

“ He died at Leominster on 31 July 1798, bequeathing his property to the Worcester Infirmary. His cheerful disposition made him a great favourite in Worcester. According to an epitaph upon him written by a contemporary wit, 'Great was his genius, small his preferment. The Oracle of a coffee-house, he wished not to shine in a more exalted sphere. He laughed through life, and his face made others laugh too ”

“ HUNT, JOHN (1806–1842) , organist and composer, born on 30 Dec. 1806 at Marnhull in Dorsetshire, entered the choir of Salisbury Cathedral at the age of seven, Arthur Thomas Corfe [q. v.] being then organist. Subsequently he was educated at the Salisbury grammar school, where he remained till 1827. ”

“ On 25 July 1796 he was appointed organist of the Chapel Royal, vice Thomas Sanders Dupuis, deceased. In 1801, with the co-operation of his brother William, his son Charles, and Messrs. Greatorex and Bartleman, he revived the Vocal Concerts at the Hanover Square Rooms, but in the following year he withdrew from the management. In 1808 he resigned his post of gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and was succeeded by his son Charles. Knyvett was a member of the Royal Society of Musicians from 4 Jan. ”

“ Under his father's instruction he showed at a very early age marked skill on the violin, and at the age of seven was taken as pupil for five years by Dr. Boyce. When eight years old he performed in public, and at the end of his period of tuition with Dr. Boyce he wrote six violin solos, which are dated 1768. In 1770 he went to Florence, where he received lessons on the violin from Nardini, and made the acquaintance of Mozart, who became warmly attached to him. ”

“ An anthem with orchestral accompaniment, ‘Let God arise!’ written for the Worcester festival of 1773; the overture, a duet, trio, and three or four airs for the ‘Duenna,’ 1775; a chorus and two songs for the ‘Tempest,’ and an ‘Ode on the Witches and Fairies of Shakspere,’ 1776; a short oratorio, ‘The Song of Moses,’ composed for Drury Lane; additional accompaniments for wind instruments to the music in ‘Macbeth;’ and a glee for five voices, ‘Hark! ”

“ Paul's. He enjoyed the reputation of possessing the largest person and the most unsociable temper in England. His portrait hangs in the Music School at Oxford.
His compositions include: ‘Six Concertos, with Accompaniments for Organ, Harpsichord, or Pianoforte, to which is added a Harpsichord Sonata,’ London, 1769; ‘Eight Anthems,’ Oxford, 1780; ‘Prophecy, an Oratorio,’ performed at a concert at Oxford commemoration in 1781; ‘Catches, Glees, and Canons for three, four, five, and six Voices,’ London, 1785 ”

“ From his childhood he evinced an aptitude for music, which he studied, for purposes of recreation, under William Mather, organist to St. James's, Sheffield. Owing to pecuniary losses, Hoyland turned to his art for a livelihood, and devoted himself to teaching music, with great success. In 1808 he succeeded Mather as organist of St. James's, and eleven years later removed to Louth, Lincolnshire, where he was before long appointed organist of the parish church. He died on 18 Jan. 1827. His son William was organist of St. ”

“ He considered Avison's essay to be an attack upon Handel, for whom he entertained a great admiration, and his ‘Remarks’ display a passionate anxiety to do justice to the great composer.
Hayes, William, the younger (1742–1790) , his third son, born in 1742, was a chorister of Magdalen College, Oxford, for two years from 27 June 1749; matriculated at Magdalen Hall on 16 July 1757; graduated B.A. on 7 April 1761, and M.A. (from New College) on 15 Jan. 1764; and was successively appointed minor canon of Worcester Cathedral in 1765, minor canon of St. ”

“ HUDSON, MARY (d. 1801) , organist, daughter of Robert Hudson [q. v.] , was elected organist of St. Olave's, Hart Street, London, on 20 Dec. 1781, at a yearly salary of twenty-five guineas, and held this post until her death on 28 March 1801. During the last eight or nine years of her life she also fulfilled the duties of organist at the church of St. ”

“ Watts's ' Sacred and Moral Songs,' London, 1841; a set of 'Vocal Duets,' London, 1846; and many separate songs and ballads, of which 'The Brave Old Oak,' and an 'Invocation to the Deep' were among the most popular. ”

“ During his later years he taught music in many noble families in London. He died on Easter day 1829. His son, George August, succeeded him as organist to the German Chapel, and he in his turn was succeeded by his sister, Johanna Sophia.
Kollman was the author of the following theoretical works: 1. ‘An Introduction to the Art of Preludising and Extemporising,’ London, 1791. 2. ‘An Essay on Musical Harmony,’ London, 1796. 3. ‘An Essay on Practical Musical Composition,’ London, 1799. 4. ‘A Practical Guide to Thorough Bass,’ London, 1801. 5. ”

“ HUDSON, ROBERT (1731–1815) , composer, born in 1731, possessed a good tenor voice, and in his youth sang at concerts in the Ranelagh and Marylebone Gardens. At the age of twenty-four he was elected assistant organist to St. ”

“ Comprehending those seven Psalmes of the Princelie Prophet David, commonlie called Pœnitentiall; framed into a forme of familiar praiers, and reduced into meeter by William Hunnis. ... Whereunto are also annexed his Handfull of Honisuckles; the Poor Widowes Mite; a Dialog between Christ and a sinner; diuers godlie and pithie ditties, with a Christian confession of and to the Trinitie,' London, 1583 (Brit.Mus.) ”

“ In November 1583 Hunnis stated in a petition to the council that he was unable to maintain 'an usher, a man-servant for the boys, and a woman to keep them clean, on an income of 6d. a day each for food and 40l. ”

“ He lived mainly in London, where he died in January 1823.
King wrote the music to a number of dramatic pieces, most of which were produced at the Lyceum Theatre. These include: ‘Matrimony,’ comic opera, words by James Kenney [q. v.] ”

“ He was educated at Westminster School, where he formed a close friendship with Lord Dudley and Ward which lasted until his death. He studied the organ and pianoforte under S. Webbe, and in 1802 was appointed organist of St. ”

“ Grove's Dict. of Music, ii. 143, iv. 701; Brown's Biog. Dict. of Music, p. 388; Fétis's Biog. Univ. des Musiciens, v. 211; Parke's Musical Memoirs, i. 11, 203; Musical Biography, ii. 211; Harmonicon for 1825, pp. 215–20; Tinsley's Mag. xxxix. 134, 249; Gent. Mag. 1795, ii. 973, 1052; Fitzgerald's Lives of the Sheridans, i. 75, ii. 49; Peach's Historic Houses in Bath, 1st ser. p. 30; Miss Lefanu's Memoirs of Mrs. F. Sheridan, pp. 416–20; Burney's Hist. of Music, iv. 675; Records of the Royal Society of Musicians; Registers of Wells Cathedral; Brit. Mus. ”