Page:A Dictionary of Music and Musicians vol 3.djvu/552

540 organist at Trinity Church, Windsor, and in 1859 organist of the Parish Church, which post he still holds. [ W. H. H. ]

SMITH,, commonly styled Dr. Smith [App. p.794 "for commonly styled Dr. Smith read Mus.D."], was born at Cambridge in 1795. On Nov. 23, 1815, he was admitted to a situation in the choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, but failed to secure the appointment of vicar choral owing to his having quarrelled and gone to law with the Dean in 1824. On Feb. 5, 1819, he was appointed a vicar choral of St. Patrick's Cathedral. About 1826 he assumed the title of Mus. Doc., but it is very doubtful if the degree was ever really conferred upon him, no record of it existing. [App. p.794 "for sentence beginning About 1826 read On July 7, 1827, the degree of Mus.D. was conferred upon him by the University of Dublin. (See vol. iv. p. 170b, note 9.)"] He afterwards obtained the appointments of Chief Composer of the State Music, Master of the King's Band of State Musicians in Ireland, and Composer to the Chapel Royal, Dublin; and about 1845 [App. p.794 "in 1847"] was chosen Professor of Music in Dublin University. He composed 'The Revelation,' an oratorio, some church music, and several prize glees and other compositions. In 1837 he published a volume of Cathedral Music containing services and chants, and a 'Veni, Creator.' He died Nov. 12, 1861. [ W. H. H. ]

SMITH,, born in 1712, was son of John Christopher Schmidt, of Anspach, who, a few years later, came to England and became Handel's treasurer. The younger Smith showing a fondness for music, Handel commenced teaching him when he was 13 years old. He afterwards studied composition under Dr. Pepusch and Thomas Roseingrave, and in 1732 produced his English opera, 'Teraminta,' and in 1733 another opera, 'Ulysses.' In 1738 he composed an oratorio, 'David's Lamentation over Saul and Jonathan.' About 1745 he travelled on the continent, remaining absent about three years. In 1750 he was appointed the first organist of the Foundling Hospital Chapel. When Handel became blind Smith was employed as his amanuensis, and Handel's latest compositions were dictated to him. He also played the organ at Handel's oratorio performances. In 1754 he composed the opera of 'The Fairies,' altered from Shakspere's 'Midsummer Night's Dream,' which met with great success, and in 1756 the opera of 'The Tempest,' adapted from Shakspere's play, two songs in which, 'Full fathom five,' and 'The owl is abroad,' long continued favourites; and in 1760 'The Enchanter,' a musical entertainment. Handel bequeathed to him all his original MS. scores, his harpsichord, his bust by Roubiliac, and his portrait by Denner. After Handel's death Smith carried on the oratorios, in conjunction with Stanley, until 1774, when he retired and went to reside at Bath. Besides the before-mentioned works he composed 'Paradise Lost,' 'Rebecca,' 'Judith,' 'Jehoshaphat,' and 'Redemption,' oratorios (besides compiling two oratorios from Handel's works, 'Nabal,' and 'Gideon'); 'Dario,' 'Issipile,' and 'Il Ciro riconosciuto,' Italian operas; a Burial Service; and several miscellaneous vocal and instrumental pieces. George III. having continued to Smith a pension which had been granted by his mother, the Princess Dowager of Wales, Smith evinced his gratitude by presenting to the King all Handel's MS. scores now at Buckingham Palace the harpsichord and the bust by Roubiliac, retaining only the portrait by Denner. He died Oct. 3, 1795. Two large collections of Handel's works exist in Smith's MS., one belonging to H. B. Lennard, Esq., Hampstead; the other to Dr. Chrysander. [See ../Handel, George, in the Appendix.] [App. p.794 "for Two read Three, as another collection of Handel's works in Smith's writing belonging to the Granville family, is now in the possession of Bevil Granville, Esq. of Wellesbourne Hall, Warwickshire. Omit the reference to in Appendix."] [ W. H. H. ]

SMITH,, son of Martin Smith, organist of Gloucester Cathedral from 1743 to 1782, was born at Gloucester in 1750. He obtained his earliest musical instruction from his father, and was soon afterwards sent to London to study under Dr. Boyce, and also became a chorister of the Chapel Royal under James Nares. On quitting the choir he sedulously pursued his studies, and became an able organist, an efficient tenor singer, an excellent composer, and an accomplished musical antiquary. In 1773 he was awarded two prizes by the Catch Club, one for a catch, 'Here flat,' and the other for a canon, 'remember not the sins.' In the next four years he gained prizes for the following compositions; 'Let happy lovers fly,' glee, 1774; 'Since Phillis has bubbled,' catch, and 'Blest pair of syrens,' glee (5 voices), 1775; 'While fools their time,' glee, 1776; and 'Return, blest days,' glee, 1777. He rendered great assistance to Sir John Hawkins in the production of his History, not only by reducing ancient compositions into modern notation, but also by the loan of some valuable early MSS. from his extensive and curious library, from which Sir John culled several pieces to enrich his Appendix. In 1779 he published 'A Collection of English Songs, in score, for three and four voices, composed about the year 1500. Taken from MSS. of the same age'; among which is the very interesting historical song, 'Our king went forth to Normandy,' commemorative of the victory of Agincourt. In 1780 he won another prize from the Catch Club by his ode, 'When to the Muses' haunted hill.' He published at various times five collections of glees, containing compositions which place him in the foremost rank of English glee composers. Besides his prize glees they include 'As on a summer's day,' 'What shall he have that killed the deer?' 'Hark, the hollow woods resounding,' and the madrigal 'Flora now calleth forth each flower.' 14 glees, 14 catches, 4 canons, 2 rounds, an ode, a madrigal, and a motet by him are given in Warren's collections. He also published a collection of songs, and 'Twelve Chants composed for the use of the Choirs of the Church of England; On Dec. 16, 1784, after having for many years officiated as a deputy, he was appointed a gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and on Feb. 22, 1785, a lay vicar of Westminster Abbey, being installed, after his year of probation, April 18, 1786. In 1790 he was engaged as organist at Gloucester Festival. In 1793 he published a volume of 'Anthems, composed for the Choir Service of the Church of England.' In 1802, upon the death of Dr. Arnold, he was appointed one of the organists of the Chapel Royal, and on