Reginald Spofforth
Encyclopedia
Reginald Spofforth was an English
musician
. He was born in Southwell, Nottinghamshire
but moved to London
around 1790. He was active as an organist
, conductor and music teacher, but he is best remembered as a composer
. His best known works are the glee
s Hail Smiling Morn
(which has been described as having been "possibly the most popular glee in the entire repertory") and Hark! the Lark at Heaven's Gate Sings, which are included in a number of recent collections of part-songs.
He composed about 75 glees, also three books of nursery rhyme
settings and many songs and duets, including songs for various stage performances at Covent Garden
in the 1790s. He is thought not to have composed any instrumental or sacred music.
His brother Samuel was cathedral organist at Peterborough
and Lichfield
, and composed chants and cathedral music.
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...
musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. He was born in Southwell, Nottinghamshire
Southwell, Nottinghamshire
Southwell is a town in Nottinghamshire, England, best known as the site of Southwell Minster, the seat of the Church of England diocese that covers Nottinghamshire...
but moved to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
around 1790. He was active as an organist
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...
, conductor and music teacher, but he is best remembered as a 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...
. His best known works are the glee
Glee (music)
A glee is an English type of part song spanning the late baroque, classical and early romantic periods. It is usually scored for at least three voices, and generally intended to be sung unaccompanied. Glees often consist of a number of short, musically contrasted movements and their texts can be...
s Hail Smiling Morn
Hail Smiling Morn
Hail Smiling Morn, Roud #1346, is a glee which is sung either as a Christmas carol or as an Easter carol, and features in the Yorkshire pub Christmas singing traditions found in several parts of the city of Sheffield...
(which has been described as having been "possibly the most popular glee in the entire repertory") and Hark! the Lark at Heaven's Gate Sings, which are included in a number of recent collections of part-songs.
He composed about 75 glees, also three books of nursery rhyme
Nursery rhyme
The term nursery rhyme is used for "traditional" poems for young children in Britain and many other countries, but usage only dates from the 19th century and in North America the older ‘Mother Goose Rhymes’ is still often used.-Lullabies:...
settings and many songs and duets, including songs for various stage performances at Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
in the 1790s. He is thought not to have composed any instrumental or sacred music.
His brother Samuel was cathedral organist at Peterborough
Peterborough Cathedral
Peterborough Cathedral, properly the Cathedral Church of St Peter, St Paul and St Andrew – also known as Saint Peter's Cathedral in the United Kingdom – is the seat of the Bishop of Peterborough, dedicated to Saint Peter, Saint Paul and Saint Andrew, whose statues look down from the...
and Lichfield
Lichfield Cathedral
Lichfield Cathedral is situated in Lichfield, Staffordshire, England. It is the only medieval English cathedral with three spires. The Diocese of Lichfield covers all of Staffordshire, much of Shropshire and part of the Black Country and West Midlands...
, and composed chants and cathedral music.