Page:A Dictionary of Music and Musicians vol 2.djvu/79

KNELLER HALL. bandsmen, the second class—160 in all. Lads are admitted at 15. Adults are either outsiders or former pupils, who, after having been bandsmen, develope qualities fitting them for farther education as bandmasters. Both lads and men are taken into the school as vacancies occur, on the recommendation of the commanding officers of the regiments. A supply of the former is obtained from the Chelsea Hospital, the Royal Hibernian Military School, Dublin, the Metropolitan Poor Law Schools, etc. General instruction is given by the Normal schoolmaster, and there is a noble chapel in which service is regularly performed.

England is as yet the only country which has adopted a systematic method of educating bandsmen and bandmasters, and the great improvement both in the moral conduct and the efficiency of the men which has taken place since the foundation of Kneller Hall cannot be too warmly welcomed. By Colonel Whitmore's efforts, and the enlightened sanction of H.R.H. the Commander-in-Chief, uniformity in instruments and in pitch has been obtained, and a general consolidation of the military music of the country brought about which is highly desirable. A bandmaster has now a recognised position in the army, and a fixed salary of £100 a year in addition to his regimental pay. The cost of this salary is still borne by the private purses of the officers, which is the only important anomaly remaining to be rectified. [ G. ]

KNIGHT,, youngest son of the Rev. Francis Knight, D.D., was born at the Vicarage, Bradford-on-Avon, July 26, 1812. His love for music began early, and at 16 he studied harmony and thorough bass under Mr. Corfe, then organist of Bristol Cathedral. When about 20 Mr. Knight composed his first six songs, under the name of 'Philip Mortimer.' Among these were 'Old Times,' sung by Henry Phillips, and 'Go, forget me,' which was much sung both here and in Germany. After this he used his own name, and in company with Haynes Bayly produced a number of highly popular songs, among which the most famous were 'Of what is the old man thinking?' 'The Veteran,' 'The Grecian Daughter,' and 'She wore a wreath of roses.' He subsequently composed a song and a duet to words written for him by Thomas Moore—'The parting,' and 'Let's take this world as some wide scene.' In 1839 Mr. Knight visited the United States, where he remained two years. To this time are due among other popular songs the once well-known 'Rocked in the cradle of the deep,' sung with immense success by Braham, and 'Why chime the bells so merrily.' On his return to England he produced 'Beautiful Venice,' 'Say what shall my song be to-night,' and 'The Dream,' words by the Hon. Mrs. Norton—all more or less the rage in their day. Some years afterwards Mr. Knight was ordained by the late Bp. of Exeter to the charge of St. Agnes in the Scilly Isles, where he resided two years. He then married and lived for some time abroad, doing very little in the way of composition, but on his return to England he again took up his pen, and wrote among others 'Peace, it is I!' 'The lost Rose,' 'The Watchman,' 'The Anchor,' and 'Queen of the silver bow,' all of which have enjoyed great popularity. His songs, duets, and trios, number in all not less than two hundred. He is a good organist, with an unusual gift for extemporising. [App. p.692 "Add that his last composition was a setting of Byron's 'Jephthah's Daughter,' and that he died at Yarmouth June 1, 1887."] [ G. ]

KNYVETT,, descended from an ancient Norfolk family, was one of the principal alto singers at the Commemoration of Handel in 1784; he was also engaged at the Concert of Ancient Music. He was appointed a gentleman of the Chapel Royal, Nov. 6, 1786. In 1791 he, in conjunction with Samuel Harrison, established the, which they carried on until 1794. On July 25, 1796, he was appointed an organist of the Chapel Royal, and a few years later resigned his former post. He died in 1822.

His elder son,, was born 1773. He was placed for singing under Mr. (afterwards Sir) William Parsons, and for the organ and piano under Samuel Webbe. In 1801 he joined his younger brother William, Greatorex, and Bartleman, in reviving the Vocal Concerts. In 1802 he was chosen organist of St. George's, Hanover Square. Besides this he taught the pianoforte and thorough bass, and published a Selection of Psalm Tunes, 1823. He died, after many years of retirement, Nov. 2, 1852.

William Knyvett, the younger son of Charles the elder, was born April 11, 1779. In 1788 he sang in the treble chorus at the Concert of Ancient Music, and in 1795 appeared there as principal alto. In 1797 he was appointed gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and soon afterwards a lay-vicar of Westminster. In 1802 he succeeded Dr. Arnold as one of the composers of the Chapel Royal. For upwards of 40 years he was principal alto at the best London concerts and all the provincial festivals, being greatly admired for the beauty of his voice and his finished style of singing, particularly in part music. Callcott's glee 'With sighs, sweet rose,' was composed expressly for him. In 1832 he became conductor of the Concert of Ancient Music, which office he resigned in 1840. He conducted the Birmingham Festivals from 1834 to 1843, and the York Festival of 1835. He was the composer of several pleasing glees—one of which, 'When the fair rose,' gained a prize at the Harmonic Society in 1800—and some songs, and wrote anthems for the coronations of George IV. and Queen Victoria. He died Nov. 17, 1856.

, second wife of William Knyvett, and niece of Mrs. Travis, one of the Lancashire chorus singers engaged at the Concert of Ancient Music, was born at Shaw, near Oldham, Lancashire. In 1813 she was placed in the chorus of the Concert of Ancient Music, the directors of which, finding her possessed of superior abilities, soon withdrew her from that position, took her as an articled pupil, and placed her under Greatorex. In 1815 she appeared at the concerts as a principal singer with success. In 1816 she sang at the Derby Festival, in 1818 at Worcester, and in 1820 at Birmingham. From