Samuel Wesley (1766-1837) - Symphony in E flat-major, No.5 (1784)
Performers: Milton Keynes Chamber Orchestra; Hilary Davan Wetton
Further info: Samuel Wesley (1766-1837) - Symphony No.6 (1802)
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English composer and organist. The son of Charles Wesley (1707-1788) and
brother of Charles Wesley II (1757-1834), he studied music under
William Boyce in 1774. Samuel showed his musical talent early in life.
As a boy, he was recognised as a child prodigy by the British musical
establishment, along with his elder brother, Charles. He quickly
mastered the violin, harpsichord and organ. By the age of eight, he was
becoming known for his composing and improvisational skills. By 1779 he
and his brother embarked upon a career giving subscription concerts. In
1784, Wesley converted to Catholicism, focusing his compositional
efforts on writing sacred music. An accident in 1787 forced him into a
quiet rural life at Ridge near St. Albans for two decades, but after
1808 he returned to become one of the leaders of the English musical
establishment, including founding membership in the Royal Philharmonic
Society. Wesley worked as a conductor as well as a music teacher and
lecturer. He seems to have been one of the pioneers of the British organ
recital: prior to his time, entertainment was not considered
appropriate for a church building. Despite a reputation as the best
improvisor on the organ in England, he never succeeded in obtaining an
organist's post though he applied to the Foundling Hospital both in 1798
and 1813 and to St George's, Hanover Square in 1824. From 1815 onwards,
he was beset by lack of money and depression. At one stage, he was
reduced to asking Vincent Novello for copying work. His ability on the
organ was so highly regarded that he was introduced to, and played for
Felix Mendelssohn in September 1837, a month before Wesley's death.
Mendelssohn gave a recital at Christ Church Newgate, during which Wesley
said to his daughter Eliza, "This is transcendent playing! Do you think
I dare venture after this?" It seems that Mendelssohn persuaded the old
man, who was by now very frail, to play. Mendelssohn stood by his side
while he was playing and complimented him, but Wesley replied "Ah, Sir!
you have not heard me play; you should have heard me forty years ago".
His music is characterized by good harmony and a more progressive sense
of style. Works include five Masses, two services, 63 other sacred
works, 38 anthems, 51 choruses, two oratorios, 97 hymns (57 of which
were published in 1835 in The Psalmist), seven symphonies, 13 concertos,
three quartets, nine trios, and 10 violin sonatas, as well as many
smaller works.
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