Charles Frederick Hempel
Encyclopedia
Charles Frederick Hempel (1811–1867) was an organist and composer.
Hempel, eldest son of Charles William Hempel
, was born at Truro
, Cornwall, in September 1811. Having under his father's care received a sound musical education, he became a teacher of music at Truro. In 1847 he began writing and publishing songs, the first being dedicated to the Countess of Falmouth and entitled "Heave one sigh for me at parting". He also composed and printed pianoforte and dance music. About 1844 he succeeded his father as organist of St. Mary's Church, Truro (which later became Truro Cathedral
). He was one of the first to introduce into Cornwall choral performances on a large scale.
On 11 February 1855 he matriculated from Magdalen Hall, Oxford, and on the 15th of the same month took the degree of bachelor in music. On 19 March 1862 "The Seventh Seal", his oratorio for the degree of doctor of music, was performed in the Sheldonian Theatre
, and he received his degree the next day. Four pieces from this oratorio were printed 1864–6, and the author was busy preparing the complete work for the press at the time of his death.
He was an unwearied student of music, but devoted himself more to the theory than to the practice of his art. In 1857 he became organist and choir-master to St. John's Episcopal Church at Perth. He was conductor of the Perth Choral Union and of the Euterpean Society. He also continued his teaching and composed many pieces of light music.
He died at Perth of congestion of the lungs, on 25 April 1867.
Hempel, eldest son of Charles William Hempel
Charles William Hempel
Charles William Hempel was an English organist.Hempel was born at Chelsea, Middlesex, on 28 Aug. 1777, and showing very early indications of musical talent was placed under the tuition of his relative, Augustus F. C. Kollman, organist and composer. He made rapid progress, and at the age of eight...
, was born at Truro
Truro
Truro is a city and civil parish in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. The city is the centre for administration, leisure and retail in Cornwall, with a population recorded in the 2001 census of 17,431. Truro urban statistical area, which includes parts of surrounding parishes, has a 2001 census...
, Cornwall, in September 1811. Having under his father's care received a sound musical education, he became a teacher of music at Truro. In 1847 he began writing and publishing songs, the first being dedicated to the Countess of Falmouth and entitled "Heave one sigh for me at parting". He also composed and printed pianoforte and dance music. About 1844 he succeeded his father as organist of St. Mary's Church, Truro (which later became Truro Cathedral
Truro Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Truro is an Anglican cathedral located in the city of Truro, Cornwall, in the United Kingdom. It was built in the Gothic Revival architectural style fashionable during much of the nineteenth century, and is one of only three cathedrals in the United Kingdom...
). He was one of the first to introduce into Cornwall choral performances on a large scale.
On 11 February 1855 he matriculated from Magdalen Hall, Oxford, and on the 15th of the same month took the degree of bachelor in music. On 19 March 1862 "The Seventh Seal", his oratorio for the degree of doctor of music, was performed in the Sheldonian Theatre
Sheldonian Theatre
The Sheldonian Theatre, located in Oxford, England, was built from 1664 to 1668 after a design by Christopher Wren for the University of Oxford. The building is named after Gilbert Sheldon, chancellor of the university at the time and the project's main financial backer...
, and he received his degree the next day. Four pieces from this oratorio were printed 1864–6, and the author was busy preparing the complete work for the press at the time of his death.
He was an unwearied student of music, but devoted himself more to the theory than to the practice of his art. In 1857 he became organist and choir-master to St. John's Episcopal Church at Perth. He was conductor of the Perth Choral Union and of the Euterpean Society. He also continued his teaching and composed many pieces of light music.
He died at Perth of congestion of the lungs, on 25 April 1867.