Alexander Reinagle
Encyclopedia
Alexander Robert Reinagle (born 23 April 1756, Portsmouth
, England
— died 21 September 1809, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.) was an English-born American composer, organist, and theater musician. He should not be confused with his nephew of the same name, Alexander Robert Reinagle (21 August 1799 — 6 April 1877), also a composer and organist, who lived all his life in Britain.
in Edinburgh
. At first, Reinagle made a living in the shipping industry, making several trips to the American colonies during the 1770s. In Edinburgh he taught music and presented several concerts. His first keyboard compositions were published in Glasgow
, and became popular in the American colonies.
, and, later moved again to Philadelphia, which was the national capital at the time. He helped revitalize the musical life of Philadelphia in the 1790s, introducing that city to the music of Haydn and Mozart, as well as his own original compositions.
One of Reinagle's admirers was American President George Washington
. In 1789 Reinagle composed a “Chorus,” which was performed for President Washington at Trenton, New Jersey
, during Washington's journey to his inauguration. Later, in Philadelphia, Nellie Custis, Washington’s step-granddaughter, was one of Reinagle’s music students. Washington was a frequent concertgoer, and could often be seen in the audience at Reinagle’s concerts. Upon Washington’s death in 1799, Reinagle composed a Monody on the Death of George Washington.
In Philadelphia, Reinagle worked closely with Thomas Wignell
in producing opera ballets with the New Company, at the Chestnut Street Theater. Reinagle and Wignell produced over 75 programs with the New Company. At Wignell’s death in 1803, Reinagle moved to Baltimore
, where he became associated with the Holliday Street Theater. He died in 1809. He is buried in Old Saint Paul's Cemetery
in Baltimore.
Once in America, Reinagle continued to compose short pieces for special occasions, often with titles alluding to American personalities and ideas. Pieces such as his Federal March, President Madison’s March, and Mrs. Madison’s Minuet are usually short and in the binary form
associated with dance music of the time. Of more interest is the set of four keyboard sonatas. Reinagle composed these when he first arrived in Philadelphia; hence they are sometimes called the “Philadelphia Sonatas.” These are the first sonatas composed in the United States. They are substantial works, each in two or three movements. While they show the influence of C. P. E. Bach (one of Reinagle's idols), they demonstrate Reinagle’s unique approach to form and motivic development. Much of Reinagle’s theater music was lost when the Chestnut Street Theater burned down in 1820.
Portsmouth
Portsmouth is the second largest city in the ceremonial county of Hampshire on the south coast of England. Portsmouth is notable for being the United Kingdom's only island city; it is located mainly on Portsea Island...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
— died 21 September 1809, Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.) was an English-born American composer, organist, and theater musician. He should not be confused with his nephew of the same name, Alexander Robert Reinagle (21 August 1799 — 6 April 1877), also a composer and organist, who lived all his life in Britain.
Scotland
Reinagle's father was a Hungarian professional musician and his mother was Scots. He studied music with his father, then with Raynor TaylorRaynor Taylor
Rayner Taylor was an English organist, music teacher, composer, and singer who lived and worked in the United States after emigrating in 1792...
in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
. At first, Reinagle made a living in the shipping industry, making several trips to the American colonies during the 1770s. In Edinburgh he taught music and presented several concerts. His first keyboard compositions were published in Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, and became popular in the American colonies.
New York and Philadelphia
In 1786 Reinagle decided to try his fortune as a professional musician in the new United States of America. He moved to New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and, later moved again to Philadelphia, which was the national capital at the time. He helped revitalize the musical life of Philadelphia in the 1790s, introducing that city to the music of Haydn and Mozart, as well as his own original compositions.
One of Reinagle's admirers was American President George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
. In 1789 Reinagle composed a “Chorus,” which was performed for President Washington at Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton, New Jersey
Trenton is the capital of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the county seat of Mercer County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Trenton had a population of 84,913...
, during Washington's journey to his inauguration. Later, in Philadelphia, Nellie Custis, Washington’s step-granddaughter, was one of Reinagle’s music students. Washington was a frequent concertgoer, and could often be seen in the audience at Reinagle’s concerts. Upon Washington’s death in 1799, Reinagle composed a Monody on the Death of George Washington.
In Philadelphia, Reinagle worked closely with Thomas Wignell
Thomas Wignell
Thomas Wignell was an English-born actor and theatre manager in colonial United States.-Early life:He was born in England and came to North America in 1774 with his cousin Lewis Hallam, then left for Jamaica until 1785.-Career:...
in producing opera ballets with the New Company, at the Chestnut Street Theater. Reinagle and Wignell produced over 75 programs with the New Company. At Wignell’s death in 1803, Reinagle moved to Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, where he became associated with the Holliday Street Theater. He died in 1809. He is buried in Old Saint Paul's Cemetery
Old Saint Paul's Cemetery
Old Saint Paul's Cemetery is a cemetery located in downtown Baltimore, Maryland, United States. It is noted for the several important historical figures that are interred in its grounds.It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1988....
in Baltimore.
Reinagle's Music
His earliest compositions, from his days in Edinburgh, include a set of Duos for two ‘cellos, Opus 2, and Variations on Famous Scots Tunes, published in Glasgow and later again in Philadelphia. He also composed Twenty-four Short and Easy Lessons, a series of teaching pieces for keyboard, which he later used in his teaching in Philadelphia.Once in America, Reinagle continued to compose short pieces for special occasions, often with titles alluding to American personalities and ideas. Pieces such as his Federal March, President Madison’s March, and Mrs. Madison’s Minuet are usually short and in the binary form
Binary form
Binary form is a musical form in two related sections, both of which are usually repeated. Binary is also a structure used to choreograph dance....
associated with dance music of the time. Of more interest is the set of four keyboard sonatas. Reinagle composed these when he first arrived in Philadelphia; hence they are sometimes called the “Philadelphia Sonatas.” These are the first sonatas composed in the United States. They are substantial works, each in two or three movements. While they show the influence of C. P. E. Bach (one of Reinagle's idols), they demonstrate Reinagle’s unique approach to form and motivic development. Much of Reinagle’s theater music was lost when the Chestnut Street Theater burned down in 1820.
Selected stage works
- Robin Hood, or Sherwood Forest (10.3.1794 Philadelphia) [rev. (W. Shield)]
- St Patrick's Day, or The Scheming Lieutenant (17.3.1794 Philadelphia)
- La forêt noire (26.4.1794 Philadelphia)
- The Spanish Barber, or The Fruitless Precaution (7.7.1794 Philadelphia) [+ B. Carr] [rev. (S. Arnold)]
- Harlequin Shipwreck'd, or The Grateful Lion (2.1.1795 Philadelphia)
- The Purse, or Benevolent Tar (7.1.1795 Philadelphia) [rev. (Arnold)]
- The Volunteers (21.1.1795 Philadelphia)
- Auld Robin Gray, or Jamie's Return from America (4.5.1795 Philadelphia) [rev. (Arnold)]
- The Sicilian Romance, or The Apparition of the Cliffs (6.5.1795 Philadelphia)
- Harlequin's Invasion (12.6.1795 Philadelphia)
- The Warrior's Welcome Home (10.2.1796 Philadelphia)
- The Witches of the Rocks, or Harlequin Everywhere (26.2.1796 Philadelphia)
- The Lucky Escape, or The Ploughman Turned Sailor (14.3.1796 Philadelphia) [rev. (C. Dibdin)]
- Columbus, or The Discovery of America (30.1.1797 Philadelphia)
- The Savoyard, or The Repentant Seducer (12.7.1797 Philadelphia)
- The Italian Monk (11.4.1798 Philadelphia) [rev. (Arnold)?]
- The Arabs of the Desert, or Harlequin's Flight from Egypt (13.4.1799 Philadelphia)
- The Constellation, or A Wreath for American Tars (30.12.1799 Philadelphia)
- A Wreath for American Tars, or Huzza Again for the Constitution (8.4.1800 Philadelphia)
- The Double Disguise (18.4.1800 Philadelphia)
- Harlequin Freemason (21.4.1800 Philadelphia) [rev. (Dibdin)]
- The Sailor's Daughter (10.12.1804 Philadelphia)
- The Wife of Two Husbands (1.3.1805 Philadelphia)
- Mary, Queen of Scots (15.1.1806 Philadelphia)
- The Travellers, or Music's Fascination (20.4.1807 Philadelphia) [rev. (D. Corri)?]
Selected discography
- Reinagle, Alexander. Three Keyboard Sonatas. (Jack WinerockJack WinerockJack Winerock is a Professor of Piano in the Department of Music and Dance in the School of Fine Arts at the University of Kansas .-Background:...
, pf.) Musical Heritage Society, MHS 3359. Played on the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Broadwood piano.
External links
- Philadelphia Composers: Alexander Reinagle -- Keffer Collection of Sheet Music, University of Pennsylvania
- Recordings from the Database of Recorded American Music
- Baker's Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, 7th edition, copyright: 1984