Samuel Wesley

Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of Samuel Wesley.


Samuel Wesley was a child prodigy, and it was the older composer
William Boyce who said of the boy that he was the English Mozart,
and that he had dropped down from heaven. Wesley’s star speedily
ascended to the heights from an early age as both performer and
composer, but with issues surrounding his often extreme
character, and also his health and morals, this ascendency was
not to last. His popularity went in and out of fashion during his
lifetime, and trying to secure a permanent position as an
organist was something which eluded him for a long time. However,
he was one of Britain’s leading musicians, mixed in the highest
circles, and was responsible for promoting the largely unknown J.
S. Bach to these shores. Towards the end of his life, famous
musicians and composers sought Wesley out and even Mendelssohn
asked the famed organist Samuel Wesley to play for him. We’re
only just beginning to understand Wesley’s importance to the
development of British classical music, and many of his
substantial works, including numerous concertos for piano, organ,
and violin, and large scale works for choir and orchestra, all
still remain to be recorded.


In this week’s episode, we’ll hear about Wesley’s religious
background and fluctuating views, his circle of friends, his
virtuosic performance career, his passion for JS Bach, and the
mystery surrounding his health.


Music featured: Symphony in A major (Brillante) O Lord God most
holy Might I in thy sight appear Psalm 42 & 43 Dixit Dominus
Preludium, Ariette & Fuga in C minor Symphony in A major
Fugue in B minor for Dr Mendelssohn Sinfonia obbligato O sing
unto mie roundelaie Voluntary in D Air and Gavotte Violin
Concerto No 2 in D major Sonatina Op 4 No 1 Sonatina Op 4 No 2
Duet for the organ Symphony in E flat Arrangement with Variation
of Rule Britannia Rondo on God rest you merry, Gentlemen All go
unto one place Duet in B flat major (for Eliza) Voluntary in D,
Op 6 No 8 Handel Arr. Wesley Rejoice the Lord is King Symphony in
D major String Quartet in E flat major (Allegro spiritoso)
Confitebor tibi, Domine Voluntary in G minor Ode to St Cecilia
(extract) Might I in thy sight appear Memoriam fecit mirabilium
suorum Symphony in B flat major Fidelia omnia mandata ejus
Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC
Wales


For full tracklistings, including artist and recording details,
and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after
broadcast) head to the series page for Samuel Wesley
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000dy1k


And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve
featured on Composer of the Week here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z