William Boyce

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William Boyce

William Boyce (baptized September 11, 1711 in London , † February 7, 1779 in Kensington (London) ) was an English composer .

Life

Along with Thomas Arne, William Boyce is considered to be one of the few English composers of his time who can stand up to comparison with their continental colleagues. Already in his youth Boyce (from 1734) held various organist positions in the city, in addition he was a music teacher in several London schools. In 1736 he was appointed composer of the Chapel Royal . His three-volume “Cathedral Music” collection, published between 1760 and 1778, with music by English composers of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries such as William Byrd , Henry Purcell and Thomas Tallis, was the standard work of English church music for over a century. The collection was started by Boyce's old teacher Maurice Greene and completed by Boyce.

In 1737 Boyce directed the Three Choirs Festival . In 1757 King George II gave Boyce the post of " Master of the King's Music " as the successor to his teacher Maurice Greene. In 1758 his hearing loss increased so much that he had to retire from his position as organist. He retired to Kensington to edit a collection of church music that his teacher Maurice Greene had left incomplete when he died in 1755. The collection now bears his name and contains many works that are still used today in the Anglican Church.

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Boyce wrote a large number of sacred and secular vocal works, including anthems and services . These include the most famous Om Where Shall Wisdom Be Found and By the Waters of Babylon . In addition, he composed odes, songs and cantatas, stage works, instrumental music (8 symphonies, 15 trio sonatas, 12 overtures, 3 concerti grossi) and piano works. In the 1740s, Boyce co-produced songs and masks with David Garrick for Garricks Theater on Drury Lane .

In contrast to most composers of his time, Boyce was able to keep himself largely free from the seductive influence of George Frideric Handel in his works . After his death, William Boyce was almost forgotten in the course of time. Only in the 20th century did his instrumental music - especially his symphonies and chamber music - experience a revival.

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personal data
SURNAME Boyce, William
BRIEF DESCRIPTION English pre-classical composer
DATE OF BIRTH baptized September 11, 1711
PLACE OF BIRTH London
DATE OF DEATH February 7, 1779
Place of death Kensington (London)