William Williams (composer)
William Williams (born August 1, 1675 in London ; † February 23, 1701 ibid) was an English violinist and Baroque composer .
Life
Nothing is known about his early life, presumably he was the son of the singer Henry Williams, who sang in the choir of Westminster Abbey . William Williams served from 1695 in the royal chapel as "Musician in Ordinary" and member of the king's 24 violinists. In 1701, in memory of Williams' untimely death, John Eccles named a sentence in a suite for the play The Double Mistress , Mr. Williams Farwell . Benefit concerts for his widow took place in April 1701 and December 1706.
Work (selection)
His best-known work today is the Sonata of Imitations of Birds from the 6 trio sonatas published in Amsterdam in 1700. This collection is stylistically close to the "Sonatas in Four Parts" by Henry Purcell and, like this one, contains Italian features, with more English harmonies.
He also composed various works for recorder (1700), Twelve New Songs (1699), an Air for violin and bass, which appeared in John Lenton's The Gentlemens Diversion (1693) and an unfinished incidental music for 4 string voices .
Discography
William Williams: Trio sonatas for 2 recorders and basso continuo, 2 violins and basso continuo op. 1, Camerata Cologne (CPO 2002)
Web links
- Sheet music and audio files by William Williams (composer) in the International Music Score Library Project
- Notes in the public domain by William Williams
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Williams, William |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | British violinist composer of the Baroque era |
| DATE OF BIRTH | August 1, 1675 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | London |
| DATE OF DEATH | February 23, 1701 |
| Place of death | London |