James Nares
Encyclopedia
James Nares was an English
composer
of mostly sacred vocal works, though he also composed for the harpsichord
and organ
.
Nares was born in in Stanwell
, although soon after his family moved to Oxfordshire
. His brother was a justice, Sir George Nares.
He began his career as Deputy Organist
of St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle
, and was later appointed Organist of York Minster
in 1735. He married soon after that. Nares was a pupil of Bernard Gates (Master of the King's Choristers), Johann Christoph Pepusch
and William Croft
. His patron and friend was John Fountayne
, the Dean of York.
He replaced his tutor, Gates, as chorister at the Chapel Royal
in 1756. At this time the University of Cambridge
bestowed the degree Doctor of Music upon him.
He was assistant organist at St George's Chapel in Windsor, then succeeded Salisbury at York Minster, before returning to the Chapel Royal in 1756 to become organist and composer to George III
, succeeding Maurice Greene
. . It is believed that Nares was the first person to systematically publish a series of keyboard lessons for students of the piano.
Nares resigned his duties in July 1781 due to declining health.
Nares is buried in St. Margaret's, Westminster
. His service in F and many of his anthems are still used in cathedrals.
He was the father of Revd Robert Nares
(1753–1829), the philologist and author.
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...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
of mostly sacred vocal works, though he also composed for the harpsichord
Harpsichord
A harpsichord is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It produces sound by plucking a string when a key is pressed.In the narrow sense, "harpsichord" designates only the large wing-shaped instruments in which the strings are perpendicular to the keyboard...
and organ
Organ (music)
The organ , is a keyboard instrument of one or more divisions, each played with its own keyboard operated either with the hands or with the feet. The organ is a relatively old musical instrument in the Western musical tradition, dating from the time of Ctesibius of Alexandria who is credited with...
.
Nares was born in in Stanwell
Stanwell
Stanwell is a suburban village in the Surrey borough of Spelthorne. It is located 15.7 miles west south-west of Charing Cross and half a mile from the southern boundary of London Heathrow Airport and the London Borough of Hillingdon...
, although soon after his family moved to Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
. His brother was a justice, Sir George Nares.
He began his career as Deputy Organist
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...
of St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle
Windsor Castle is a medieval castle and royal residence in Windsor in the English county of Berkshire, notable for its long association with the British royal family and its architecture. The original castle was built after the Norman invasion by William the Conqueror. Since the time of Henry I it...
, and was later 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...
in 1735. He married soon after that. Nares was a pupil of Bernard Gates (Master of the King's Choristers), Johann Christoph Pepusch
Johann Christoph Pepusch
Johann Christoph Pepusch , also known as John Christopher Pepusch and Dr Pepusch, was a German-born composer who spent most of his working life in England....
and William Croft
William Croft
William Croft was an English composer and organist.Croft was born at the Manor House, Nether Ettington, Warwickshire. He was educated at the Chapel Royal, under the instruction of John Blow, and remained there until 1698. Two years after this departure, he became organist of St. Anne's Church, Soho...
. His patron and friend was John Fountayne
John Fountayne
John Fountayne, M.A. , DD, was a Church of England clergyman and the longest serving Dean of York.-Life:Fountayne was the younger of two sons of John Fountayne...
, the Dean of York.
He replaced his tutor, Gates, as chorister at the Chapel Royal
Chapel Royal
A Chapel Royal is a body of priests and singers who serve the spiritual needs of their sovereign wherever they are called upon to do so.-Austria:...
in 1756. At this time the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
bestowed the degree Doctor of Music upon him.
He was assistant organist at St George's Chapel in Windsor, then succeeded Salisbury at York Minster, before returning to the Chapel Royal in 1756 to become organist and composer to George III
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
, succeeding Maurice Greene
Maurice Greene
Maurice Greene or Maurice Green may refer to:*Maurice Greene , English composer and organist*Maurice Greene , American athlete*Maurice Green , English newspaper editor...
. . It is believed that Nares was the first person to systematically publish a series of keyboard lessons for students of the piano.
Nares resigned his duties in July 1781 due to declining health.
Nares is buried in St. Margaret's, Westminster
St. Margaret's, Westminster
The Anglican church of St. Margaret, Westminster Abbey is situated in the grounds of Westminster Abbey on Parliament Square, and is the parish church of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom in London...
. His service in F and many of his anthems are still used in cathedrals.
He was the father of Revd Robert Nares
Robert Nares
Robert Nares was an English clergyman, philologist and author.-Life:He was born at York in 1753, the son of James Nares , organist of York Minster and educated at Westminster School and Christ Church, Oxford.From 1779 to 1783 he lived with the family of Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, 4th Baronet as...
(1753–1829), the philologist and author.
Compositions
- The Souls of the Righteous, 1734
- Set of eight harpsichord lessons, 1747
- Five harpsichord lessons, Op. 2, 1759
- Elegy on Mr. Handel, 1759
- Six Fugues for organ, 1772
- Three easy harpsichord lessons, 1778
- A Treatise on Singing, 1778
- Il Principio, or A regular Introduction to playing on the Harpsichord or Organ, 1778
- The Royal Pastoral, 1778
- Collection of Catches, Canons and Glees, 1778
- Six organ fugues, 1778
- Second Treatise on Singing, with a set of English duets, 1778
- Twenty Anthems, 1778
- A Morning and Evening Service and Six Anthems, 1788
External links
- James Nares at the Nares genealogy project
- Hymn tunes composed by James Nares at Hymnary.org