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The following composers published collections of psalm and hymn settings, some including anthems, for the use of country choirs during the West Gallery period (1750-1850): | ||
Abraham Adams of Shoreham | ||
Abraham Adams of Shoreham, (c.1730-90) The Psalmist's New Companion MP3 file : Psalm 25OV (Barton tune) John Barwick of Canterbury, (1741 - c.1800) Harmonia Cantica Divina, pub.June 1783; Harmonia Cantica Divina, Second Part , pub.April 1793; 22 psalm tunes, with symphonies Read a more detailed biography HERE Midi files : Folkstone tune (Psalm 19NV) | Psalm 11OV | MP3 files : Psalm 34NV | Psalm 125OV (Northbourne Tune) | Psalm 149OV (Sturry Tune) James Beach of Sandhurst, (c.1754-1830) James Beach was probably the son of a Sandhurst farmer of the same name. He kept a grocery and drapery shop near Sandhurst Green and attended the Baptist Chuch in the parish. He contributed 30 hymn tunes to Harmonia Sacra Londinensis, by Thomas Purday, pub.c.1805. He was buried with his wife and daughter in Sandhurst Baptist churchyard . Thomas Clark of Canterbury, (1775-1859) Thomas Clark was born in Canterbury in 1775 and spent virtually the whole of his life in that city. He was a boot and shoe maker by trade, continuing his father's business in St.George's Street in the city centre, but he must have spent most of his spare time involved with church music. Clark was leader of the Wesleyan choir at Canterbury for many years, and is thought to have later joined the General Baptists who tended towards Unitarian beliefs. He died in his house in Stour Street, Canterbury, in 1859. Possibly more than any other composer, he evolved a style of non-conformist hymnody, using the technique of repeated lines and imitative vocal entries, which epitomised nineteenth-century non-conformist tunes, which must have been an anathema to the devotees of the old, solid, homophonic psalm-tunes. Clark's published works include the following: Biographies of Clark appear in Lightwood, James (1935) The Music of the Methodist Hymn-Book, London, and Barkley, John (1979) Handbook to the Church Hymnary, London. Read a more detailed biography HERE Midi files : Psalm 95NV | Gloria Patri from Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis MP3 files : Cornhill | Cranbrook | Dunstable | Psalm 33NV | Psalm 57OV | Salem Richard Cook of Crayford(?), (fl.1770-5) Kentish Psalmodist's Companion, pub.c.1770; 27 psalm tunes (all named after Kent places) and 10 anthems Midi files : Deptford tune (Psalm 35OV) | Anthem from the 47th Psalm John Deffray of Old Romney, (c.1670-1738) John Deffray was a French Protestant who fled persecution in France in 1684 and after spending a few years in London became rector of St.Clement, Old Romney. He was so disappointed in the lack of religion there that he started a Religious Society, similar to those he had seen in London, to encourage young men to study the bible and learn to sing psalms. He published two collections of music, mostly settings by John Playford; he did not compose any music himself. His efforts were well received and it brought people back to the church in Old Romney. Read a more detailed biography HERE Michael Dobney of Maidstone, etc (1748 -1823), Six Anthems with Symphonies for the Use of Country Choirs, pub. c.1794-5 James Evison, (fl.1747-69) A Compleat Book of Psalmody, 5 editions pub.1747-69 William Flackton of Canterbury & Faversham, (1709-1798) Hymns for Three Voices, pub.c.1780 Midi file : Faversham tune (Psalm 22OV) James Francis of Ruckinge, (fl.1790s) James Francis of Ruckinge was probably a singing master. Several tunes in an Aldington manuscript book are attributed to him and two of his arrangements, named Ruckinge and Bilsington, were published in the Congregational Harmonist, edited by Thomas Clark of Canterbury, who knew him well. John Hill of Lydd and Rugby, (1723-1797) [c1757] A New Book of Psalmody; contains 27 psalms (many in 2 parts), 8 anthems, 13 hymns and 2 canons MP3 files : Shepherds Rejoice | Psalm 23 | Hymn of Thanksgiving William Marsh of Canterbury, c.1780 - 1815+ A Set of New Psalm & Hymn Tunes pub.1815; contains 25 psalm and hymn settings Midi files : Pentonville tune | Wingham tune MP3 files : Nativity - The Branch, the mighty branch William Newman of Stockbury, near Sittingbourne, fl.1799 In 1799, Newman advertised for subscribers for "a new set of PSALMS and ANTHEMS; an entire new composition" but no copy has been discovered to date. William James Porter of Gravesend*, fl.1795 - c.1840 Parochial Psalmody pub.1807; containing "A Selection from the New Version of the Psalms of David" Thomas Purday of Folkestone, 1765 - 1838 Musica Sacra Londinensis, pub.c.1805; contains 115 hymn and psalm settings (35 by Purday) and 21 "anthems and sacred odes" (10 by Purday) Midi files : Nativity David Senior of Sittingbourne, (c.1744 - 1777) The Food of Devotion pub.c.1775; Midi files : Psalm 119NV | Psalm 57NV George Shaw of Horsmonden (1769 - 1842) Four Services pub.1812. James Shoubridge of Canterbury and later, London, (1804-1872) Original Psalm and Hymn Tunes pub.c.1840 James Shoubridge was a lay-clerk of Canterbury Catherdral; he married Catherine, daughter of Thomas Clark, in 1837 and lived in London, where he was a music teacher and minor composer. MP3 files : Pasture Henry Tolhurst of Chart Sutton, etc, (1778 - 1814) Six Anthems and Six Psalms pub.1802. Read a more detailed biography HERE Midi files : Psalm 121NV | Anthem from Psalm 67 (first part) William Wraight of Elham, near Folkestone (fl.1768-77) Divine Melody, pub.1769 |