Charles Quarles
Encyclopedia
Charles Quarles organist
, is of unknown parentage and background, though it is assumed, on account of his profession and unusual name, that he was the son of Charles Quarles (d. 1717), organist of Trinity College, Cambridge
. He was appointed organist of York Minster
on 30 June 1722 with an annual salary of £40 and during his brief period of office was paid on several occasions for copying music into the minster organ books and partbooks. Given that the last (and indirect) payment to Quarles in the York Minster accounts was made on 7 October 1727 and that a Charles Quarles was buried in All Saints', Cambridge, on 21 October 1727, it is probable that the death of the York organist occurred at Cambridge. A sonata for unspecified treble instrument (probably a flute) and basso continuo
, attributed to Carlo Quarlesi, can be found in a manuscript in the library of Durham Cathedral
. This was copied by Edward Finch, a canon of York Minster, who also copied ‘Mr Quarles way of Fingering in Gamut natural’, which survives in a manuscript in Glasgow University Library
. An anthem, "Out of the deep", remains in manuscript in the library of Worcester Cathedral
; it was printed in 1775 in the Cathedral Magazine, where it is ascribed to "Mr Quarles, late Organist at York".
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, is of unknown parentage and background, though it is assumed, on account of his profession and unusual name, that he was the son of Charles Quarles (d. 1717), organist of Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College, Cambridge
Trinity College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Trinity has more members than any other college in Cambridge or Oxford, with around 700 undergraduates, 430 graduates, and over 170 Fellows...
. He was appointed organist of York Minster
York Minster
York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is one of the largest of its kind in Northern Europe alongside Cologne Cathedral. The minster is the seat of the Archbishop of York, the second-highest office of the Church of England, and is the cathedral for the Diocese of York; it is run by...
on 30 June 1722 with an annual salary of £40 and during his brief period of office was paid on several occasions for copying music into the minster organ books and partbooks. Given that the last (and indirect) payment to Quarles in the York Minster accounts was made on 7 October 1727 and that a Charles Quarles was buried in All Saints', Cambridge, on 21 October 1727, it is probable that the death of the York organist occurred at Cambridge. A sonata for unspecified treble instrument (probably a flute) and basso continuo
Figured bass
Figured bass, or thoroughbass, is a kind of integer musical notation used to indicate intervals, chords, and non-chord tones, in relation to a bass note...
, attributed to Carlo Quarlesi, can be found in a manuscript in the library of Durham Cathedral
Durham Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of Christ, Blessed Mary the Virgin and St Cuthbert of Durham is a cathedral in the city of Durham, England, the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Durham. The Bishopric dates from 995, with the present cathedral being founded in AD 1093...
. This was copied by Edward Finch, a canon of York Minster, who also copied ‘Mr Quarles way of Fingering in Gamut natural’, which survives in a manuscript in Glasgow University Library
Glasgow University Library
The University of Glasgow Library is one of the oldest and largest University libraries in Europe. It holds more than 2.5 million books and journals, as well as providing access to an extensive range of electronic resources including over 30,000 electronic journals.The current 12-storey building,...
. An anthem, "Out of the deep", remains in manuscript in the library of Worcester Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral
Worcester Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral in Worcester, England; situated on a bank overlooking the River Severn. It is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Worcester. Its official name is The Cathedral Church of Christ and the Blessed Mary the Virgin of Worcester...
; it was printed in 1775 in the Cathedral Magazine, where it is ascribed to "Mr Quarles, late Organist at York".