Robert Wainwright (composer)
Encyclopedia
Robert Wainwright was an English church organist and composer. He was the son of John Wainwright
, whom he succeeded as organist at the Manchester Collegiate Church (later Manchester Cathedral
) on his father's death in 1768. After moving to Liverpool
he became the organist at St Peter's on 1 March 1775. Wainwright composed church music and wrote an oratorio
, The Fall of Egypt, first performed in Liverpool in 1780, as well as sonata
s and concerto
s. His work has been described by musicologist Ronald Kidd as "competent and occasionally engaging ... although ... of little consequence".
John Wainwright (composer)
John Wainwright was an English church organist and composer. He was appointed organist and singer at the Manchester Collegiate Church on 12 May 1767, a year after the publication of his A Collection of Psalm Tunes, Anthems, Hymns and Chants, which included the Christmas hymn "Christians...
, whom he succeeded as organist at the Manchester Collegiate Church (later Manchester Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral
Manchester Cathedral is a medieval church on Victoria Street in central Manchester and is the seat of the Bishop of Manchester. The cathedral's official name is The Cathedral and Collegiate Church of St Mary, St Denys and St George in Manchester...
) on his father's death in 1768. After moving to Liverpool
Liverpool
Liverpool is a city and metropolitan borough of Merseyside, England, along the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary. It was founded as a borough in 1207 and was granted city status in 1880...
he became the organist at St Peter's on 1 March 1775. Wainwright composed church music and wrote an oratorio
Oratorio
An oratorio is a large musical composition including an orchestra, a choir, and soloists. Like an opera, an oratorio includes the use of a choir, soloists, an ensemble, various distinguishable characters, and arias...
, The Fall of Egypt, first performed in Liverpool in 1780, as well as sonata
Sonata
Sonata , in music, literally means a piece played as opposed to a cantata , a piece sung. The term, being vague, naturally evolved through the history of music, designating a variety of forms prior to the Classical era...
s and concerto
Concerto
A concerto is a musical work usually composed in three parts or movements, in which one solo instrument is accompanied by an orchestra.The etymology is uncertain, but the word seems to have originated from the conjunction of the two Latin words...
s. His work has been described by musicologist Ronald Kidd as "competent and occasionally engaging ... although ... of little consequence".