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A. Ewing

1830 - 1895 Person Name: Alexander Ewing Composer of "EWING" in The Hymnbook Alexander C (Rex) Ewing United Kingdom 1830-1895. Born at Aberdeen,Scotland, he studied music and German at Heidelberg University and law in Aberdeen. However, he did not qualify as a lawyer. A member of the Aberdeen Harmonic Choir and the Hadyn Society of Aberdeen, he was regarded as the most talented young musician in the city. He became an author, musician, editor, composer, and translator. He married Juliana Horatia Gatty in 1867. She died in 1885, and he remarried Elizabeth Margaret Cumby in 1886. He was a career officer in the British Army's Commissariat Department and subsequently the Army Pay Corps. He served at Constantinople during the Crimean War, thereafter in China for six years, then in Ireland during the Fenian Uprising. He was then in New Brunswick just after England created the British North American Act, creating the Dominion of Canada. He then went to Fredericton, where he played the organ and sang at Christ Church Cathedral. He was transferred to Aldershot. In 1879 he went to Malta, then served in Ceylon before returning to England. He reached the rank of Lt. Col. He translated several works by other authors. He retired and spent the last six years of his life in Taunton, England, where he died. John Perry

C. Hubert H. Parry

1848 - 1918 Person Name: C. Hubert H. Parry, b. 1848 Composer of "JUBILATE" in Church Hymns Charles Hubert Hastings Parry KnBch/Brnt BMus United Kingdom 1848-1918. Born at Richmond Hill, Bournemouth, England, son of a wealthy director of the East India Company (also a painter, piano and horn musician, and art collector). His mother died of consumption shortly after his birth. His father remarried when he was three, and his stepmother favored her own children over her stepchildren, so he and two siblings were sometimes left out. He attended a preparatory school in Malvern, then at Twyford in Hampshire. He studied music from 1856-58 and became a pianist and composer. His musical interest was encouraged by the headmaster and by two organists. He gained an enduring love for Bach’s music from S S Wesley and took piano and harmony lessons from Edward Brind, who also took him to the ‘Three Choirs Festival in Hereford in 1861, where Mendelssohn, Mozart, Handel, and Beethoven works were performed. That left a great impression on Hubert. It also sparked the beginning of a lifelong association with the festival. That year, his brother was disgraced at Oxford for drug and alcohol use, and his sister, Lucy, died of consumption as well. Both events saddened Hubert. However, he began study at Eton College and distinguished himself at both sport and music. He also began having heart trouble, that would plague him the rest of his life. Eton was not known for its music program, and although some others had interest in music, there were no teachers there that could help Hubert much. He turned to George Elvey, organist of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, and started studying with him in 1863. Hubert eventually wrote some anthems for the choir of St George’s Chapel, and eventually earned his music degree. While still at Eton, Hubert sat for the Oxford Bachelor of Music exam, the youngest person ever to have done so. His exam exercise, a cantata: “O Lord, Thou hast cast us out” astonished the Heather Professor of Music, Sir Frederick Ouseley, and was triumphantly performed and published in 1867. In 1867 he left Eton and went to Exeter College, Oxford. He did not study music there, his music concerns taking second place, but read law and modern history. However, he did go to Stuttgart, Germany, at the urging of Henry Hugh Pierson, to learn re-orchestration, leaving him much more critical of Mendelssohn’s works. When he left Exeter College, at his father’s behest, he felt obliged to try insurance work, as his father considered music only a pastime (too uncertain as a profession). He became an underwriter at Lloyd’s of London, 1870-77, but he found the work unappealing to his interests and inclinations. In 1872 he married Elizabeth Maude Herbert, and they had two daughters: Dorothea and Gwendolen. His in-laws agreed with his father that a conventional career was best, but it did not suit him. He began studying advanced piano with W S Bennett, but found it insufficient. He then took lessons with Edward Dannreuther, a wise and sympathetic teacher, who taught him of Wagner’s music. At the same time as Hubert’s compositions were coming to public notice (1875), he became a scholar of George Grove and soon an assistant editor for his new “Dictionary of Music and Musicians”. He contributed 123 articles to it. His own first work appeared in 1880. In 1883 he became professor of composition and musical history at the Royal College of Music (of which Grove was the head). In 1895 Parry succeeded Grove as head of the college, remaining in the post the remainder of his life. He also succeeded John Stainer as Heather Professor of Music at the University of Oxford (1900-1908). His academic duties were considerable and likely prevented him from composing as much as he might have. However, he was rated a very fine composer, nontheless, of orchestrations, overtures, symphonies, and other music. He only attempted one opera, deemed unsuccessful. Edward Elgar learned much of his craft from Parry’s articles in Grove’s Dictionary, and from those who studied under Parry at the Royal College, including Ralph Vaughn Williams, Gustav Holst, Frank Bridge, and John Ireland. Parry had the ability when teaching music to ascertain a student’s potential for creativity and direct it positively. In 1902 he was created a Baronet of Highnam Court in Gloucester. Parry was also an avid sailor and owned several yachts, becoming a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron in 1908, the only composer so honored. He was a Darwinian and a humanist. His daughter reiterated his liberal, non-conventional thinking. On medical advice he resigned his Oxford appointment in 1908 and produced some of his best known works. He and his wife were taken up with the ‘Suffrage Movement’ in 1916. He hated to see the WW1 ravage young potential musical talent from England and Germany. In 1918 he contracted Spanish flu during the global pandemic and died at Knightsscroft, Rustington, West Sussex. In 2015 they found 70 unpublished works of Parry’s hidden away in a family archive. It is thought some may never have been performed in public. The documents were sold at auction for a large sum. Other works he wrote include: “Studies of great composers” (1886), “The art of music” (1893), “The evolution of the art of music” (1896), “The music of the 17th century” (1902). His best known work is probably his 1909 study of “Johann Sebastian Bach”. John Perry

Timothy R. Matthews

1826 - 1910 Person Name: Rev. T. R. Matthews, B. A. Composer of "CHENIES" in The Scottish Hymnal Timothy Richard Matthews MusB United Kingdom 1826-1910. Born at Colmworth, England, son of the Colmworth rector, he attended the Bedford and Gonville Schools and Caius College, Cambridge. In 1853 he became a private tutor to the family of Rev Lord Wriothesley Russell, a canon of St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where he studied under organist, George Elvey, subsequently a lifelong friend. He married Margaret Mary Thompson, and they had 11 children: Norton, Mary, George, Cecil, Evelyn, Eleanor, Anne, Arthur, Wilfred, Stephen, and John. Matthews served as Curate and Curate-in-Charge of St Mary’s Church, Nottingham (1853-1869). While there, he founded the Nottingham Working Men’s Institute. He became Rector at North Coates, Lincolnshire (1869-1907). He retired in 1907 to live with his eldest son, Norton, at Tetney vicarage. He edited the “North Coates supplemental tune book” and “Village organist”. An author, arranger, and editor, he composed morning and evening services, chants, and responses, earning a reputation for simple but effective hymn tunes, writing 100+. On a request he wrote six tunes for a children’s hymnal in one day. He composed a Christmas carol and a few songs. His sons, Norton, and Arthur, were also known as hymn tune composers. He died at Tetney, Lincolnshire, England. John Perry

Johann Gottfried Hermann

1707 - 1791 Person Name: Johann Hermann Composer of "MUNICH" in The Scottish Hymnal Herrmann, Johann Gottfried, D.D., son of Gottfried Herrmann, pastor at Altjessnitz, near Bitterfeld, Saxony, was born at Altjessnitz, Oct. 12, 1707. After studying at the University of Leipzig (M.A. in 1731), he was appointed in 1731 diaconus at Ranis, near Neustadt on the Orla; in 1734 diaconus at Pegau, near Leipzig; in 1738 superintendent at Plauen; and in 1746 chief Court preacher at Dresden, and oberconsistorialrath. He died at Dresden, July 30, 1791 (Koch, v. 503-505). The only hymn by him translated into English appeared in the Privilegirte neue und vollständige Voigtländische Gesang Buch, Plauen, 1742, which he edited while Superintendent at Plauen. It is: Gent hin, ihr glaubigen Gedanken. The Love of God. A fine hymn, founded on Eph. i. 3-12, on Faith produced and nourished by the everlasting love of God. 1st pub. 1742 as above (ed. 1751, No. 843), in 14 stanzas of 6 lines, entitled "On the Everlasting Love of God." Included as No. 413 in the Unverfälschter Liedersegen 1851. The only translation in common use is:— On wings of faith, ye thoughts, fly hence. A good tr., omitting stanza viii., by Miss Winkworth, in the 1st Ser. of her Lyra Germanica, 1855, p. 121. Her translation of lines 1-4 of stanzas v., xii., x., xi. beginning "Ah! happy hours! whene'er upsprings," with a 5th stanza not from Herrmann, added to complete the hymn, were included as No. 646 in the American Sabbath Hymn Book 1858. Another arrangement, consisting of lines 1-4 of stanzas ii.-iv., vii., xiii., appeared as No. 233 in the Sabbath Hymn Book, 1858, and is repeated in several American collections. It begins:—"Ere earth's foundations yet were laid." [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] -- John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology

William Lloyd

1786 - 1852 Composer of "MEIRIONYDD" in The Hymnal of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America 1940 William Lloyd, a Welsh musician and music teacher, born at Rhos-goch , Llaniestyn , Llŷn , in 1786; died, according to his tombstone in Llaniestyn churchyard, on 7 June 1852 , aged 66. He is most known for his tune MEIRIONYDD. It was published under the name "BERTH" in Caniadaeth Seion ( 1840 ) published by Richard Mills. Dianne Shapiro, from Dictionary of Welsh Biography, accessed 11-8-2018 from http://wbo.llgc.org.uk

Joseph Barnby

1838 - 1896 Composer of "ST. ANSELM" in Hymns of the Church Joseph Barnby (b. York, England, 1838; d. London, England, 1896) An accomplished and popular choral director in England, Barnby showed his musical genius early: he was an organist and choirmaster at the age of twelve. He became organist at St. Andrews, Wells Street, London, where he developed an outstanding choral program (at times nicknamed "the Sunday Opera"). Barnby introduced annual performances of J. S. Bach's St. John Passion in St. Anne's, Soho, and directed the first performance in an English church of the St. Matthew Passion. He was also active in regional music festivals, conducted the Royal Choral Society, and composed and edited music (mainly for Novello and Company). In 1892 he was knighted by Queen Victoria. His compositions include many anthems and service music for the Anglican liturgy, as well as 246 hymn tunes (published posthumously in 1897). He edited four hymnals, including The Hymnary (1872) and The Congregational Sunday School Hymnal (1891), and coedited The Cathedral Psalter (1873). Bert Polman

James Walch

1837 - 1901 Composer of "ST. GEORGE'S BOLTON" in The Pilgrim Hymnal James Walch was a musician and composer, born near Bolton, Lancashire, England in 1837. He spent his early life in the town and was organist in several churches there, including the parish church of St George’s. From 1870-1877, he was conductor for the Bolton Philharmonic Society. He also composed at least four published hymn tunes, the best known of which is called “Tidings”. Written in 1875, it’s usually used as the tune to a hymn called “O Zion Haste”. James Walch was a musical instrument dealer by trade, and moved to Barrow-in-Furness in 1877. He later moved to Llandudno Junction in North Wales, where he died in August 1901 and was buried locally. His wife later donated money to pay for the organs in two local churches, St Paul's Llandudno and All Saints Deganwy, in his memory. Three decades later, an article in the London Gazette reported on a dispute arising from his will, and mentioned that he had a son, Harry West Walch, who was a pianist and lived in Hereford. St Paul's Church, Llandudno newsletter; used by permission of Christ Dearden (Walch's wife paid for the organ at St. Paul's Church)

Joseph P. Holbrook

1822 - 1888 Person Name: J. P. Holbrook Composer of "MIRIAM" in Hymnal Amore Dei Joseph P. Holbrook was a tune writer in the parlor music style, and used the popular melodies of Mason and Hastings, Bradbury and Root, Greatorex and Kingsley in his collections. He furnished settings for the choir hymns in Songs for the Sanctuary in his Quartet and chorus Choir (New York, 1871, and sought more recogniation than had been given him in a hymnal of his own, Worship in Song (New York, 1880); a book that found no welcome. from The English hymn: its development and use in worship By Louis FitzGerald Benson

Johann Hermann Schein

1586 - 1630 Person Name: J. Hermann Composer (Attributed to) of "MUNICH" in Hymns and Chorales Schein, Johann Hermann, son of Hieronymus Schein, pastor at Griinhain, near Annaberg, in Saxony, was born at Grünhain, Jan. 20,1586. He matriculated at the University of Leipzig in 1607, and studied there for four years. Thereafter he acted for some time as a private tutor, including two years with a family at Weissenfels. On May 21, 1615, he was appointed Capellmeister, at the court of Duke Johann Ernst, of Sachse-Weimar; and in 1616 he became cantor of I3t. Thomas's Church, and music director at Leipzig, in succession to Seth Calvisius (d. Nov. 24, 1615). This post he held till his death, at Leipzig, Nov. 19, 1630. Schein was one of the most distinguished musicians of his time, both as an original composer, and as a harmoniser of the works of others. As a hymnwriter he was not so prolific, or so noteworthy. Most of his hymns were written on the deaths of his children or friends, e.g. on seven of his children, and on his first wife. They appeared mostly in broadsheet form, and were included, along with his original melodies, in his Cantional oder Gesang-Buch Augspurgischer Confession, Leipzig, 1627; 2nd ed., 1645. [Both in Wernigerode Library.] Those of Schein's hymns which have passed into English are:— i. Machs mit mir, Gott, nach deiner Güt. For the Dying. First published, as a broadsheet, at Leipzig, 1628, as a Trost-Liedlein á 5 (i.e. for 5 voices), &c. [Berlin Library.] The words, the melody, and the five-part setting, are all by Schein. It was written for, and first used at, the funeral, on Dec. 15, 1628, of Margarita, wife of Caspar Werner, a builder and town councillor at Leipzig, and a churchwarden of St. Thomas's. It is in 6 stanzas of 6 lines; the initial letters of 11. 1, 3, in st. i.-iv., forming the name Margarita; and the W of st. v. 1. 1 standing for Werner. In Schein's Cantional, 1645, No. 303 (marked as Trost-Liedlein, Joh. Herm. Scheins, á 5), and later hymn-books, as e.g. the Unverfäschter Liedersegen, 1851, No. 830, st. vi. was omitted. It is Schein's finest production, and one of the best German hymns for the sick and dying. Translated as:— Deal with me, God, in mercy now. This is a good and full translation by Miss Winkworth, in her Chorale Book for England, 1863, No. 191, set to Schein's melody of 1628. ii. Mein Gott und Herr, ach sei nicht fern. For the Dying. First published, with his name, in his Cantional, 1627, No. 262, in 9 stanzas of 6 lines. The initial letters of the stanzas give the name Margarita, probably one of the daughters who predeceased him. It is included, in 5 st., in the 164-8, and later eds., of Crüger's Praxis. The translation in common use is:— My Lord and God, go not away. A good tr. of st. i., ii., iv., v., vii., by A. T. Russell, as No. 254, in his Psalms & Hymns, 1851. [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --Excerpts from John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology (1907)