William Hayes (organist)
Encyclopedia
William Hayes was an English
composer, organist, singer and conductor.
and spent the early part of his working life as organist of St Mary’s, Shrewsbury (1729) and Worcester Cathedral (1731). The majority of his career was spent at Oxford where he was appointed organist of Magdalen College
in 1734, and established his credentials with the degrees of B.Mus in 1735 and D.Mus in 1749. (He was painted by John Cornish in his doctoral robes around 1749.) In 1741 he was unanimously elected Professor of Music and organist of the University Church. He presided over the city’s concert life for the next 30 years, and was instrumental in the building of the Holywell Music Room
in Oxford in 1748, the oldest purpose-built music room in Europe. He was one of the earliest members of the Royal Society of Musicians
, and in 1765 was elected a ‘privileged member’ of the Noblemen’s and Gentlemen’s Catch Club.
forms. Hayes also cultivated a self-consciously ‘learned’ polyphonic style (perhaps inspired by his antiquarian interests) which can be seen in his many canons, full-anthems, and the strict fugal movements of his instrumental works. Nevertheless, several of his late trio sonatas show that he was not deaf to newly emerging Classical styles. Although he published virtually none of his instrumental music, his vocal works were extremely popular, and the printed editions were subscribed to by large numbers of amateur and professional musicians. Substantial works like his ode The Passions, the one-act oratorio The Fall of Jericho, and his Six Cantatas demonstrate that Hayes was one of the finest English composers of the eighteenth century.
As a writer, his Art of Composing Music includes the first published description of aleatoric composition—music composed by chance—albeit deliberately satirical in intent. In his Remarks he reveals much about his aesthetic outlook: in particular that he valued the music of Handel
and Corelli
over that of Rameau, Benedetto Marcello
and Geminiani. Finally, the Anecdotes offer insights into the organization of provincial music festivals in the mid-eighteenth century. Hayes bequeathed his important and wide-ranging music library to his son Philip Hayes; the manuscripts of both father and son eventually passed to the Bodleian Library
, Oxford in 1801.
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, organist, singer and conductor.
Life
He trained at Gloucester CathedralGloucester Cathedral
Gloucester Cathedral, or the Cathedral Church of St Peter and the Holy and Indivisible Trinity, in Gloucester, England, stands in the north of the city near the river. It originated in 678 or 679 with the foundation of an abbey dedicated to Saint Peter .-Foundations:The foundations of the present...
and spent the early part of his working life as organist of St Mary’s, Shrewsbury (1729) and Worcester Cathedral (1731). The majority of his career was spent at Oxford where he was appointed organist of Magdalen College
Magdalen College, Oxford
Magdalen College is one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England. As of 2006 the college had an estimated financial endowment of £153 million. Magdalen is currently top of the Norrington Table after over half of its 2010 finalists received first-class degrees, a record...
in 1734, and established his credentials with the degrees of B.Mus in 1735 and D.Mus in 1749. (He was painted by John Cornish in his doctoral robes around 1749.) In 1741 he was unanimously elected Professor of Music and organist of the University Church. He presided over the city’s concert life for the next 30 years, and was instrumental in the building of the Holywell Music Room
Holywell Music Room
The Holywell Music Room is the city of Oxford's chamber music hall, situated in Holywell Street in the city centre, attached to Wadham College. It is said to be the oldest, purpose built music room in Europe, and hence England's first concert hall....
in Oxford in 1748, the oldest purpose-built music room in Europe. He was one of the earliest members of the Royal Society of Musicians
Royal Society of Musicians
The Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain is a charity in the United Kingdom that supports musicians. It is the oldest music-related charity in Great Britain, founded in 1738 as the "Fund for Decay'd Musicians" by a declaration of trust signed by 228 musicians, including Edward Purcell ,...
, and in 1765 was elected a ‘privileged member’ of the Noblemen’s and Gentlemen’s Catch Club.
Music style
William Hayes was an enthusiastic Handelian, and one of the most active conductors of his oratorios and other large-scale works outside London. His wide knowledge of Handel left a strong impression on his own music, but by no means dominated it. As a composer he tended towards genres largely ignored by Handel—English chamber cantatas, organ-accompanied anthems and convivial vocal music—and his vocal works show an English preference for non-da capo ariaDa capo aria
The da capo aria is a musical form, which was prevalent in the Baroque era. It is sung by a soloist with the accompaniment of instruments, often a small orchestra. The da capo aria is very common in the musical genres of opera and oratorio...
forms. Hayes also cultivated a self-consciously ‘learned’ polyphonic style (perhaps inspired by his antiquarian interests) which can be seen in his many canons, full-anthems, and the strict fugal movements of his instrumental works. Nevertheless, several of his late trio sonatas show that he was not deaf to newly emerging Classical styles. Although he published virtually none of his instrumental music, his vocal works were extremely popular, and the printed editions were subscribed to by large numbers of amateur and professional musicians. Substantial works like his ode The Passions, the one-act oratorio The Fall of Jericho, and his Six Cantatas demonstrate that Hayes was one of the finest English composers of the eighteenth century.
As a writer, his Art of Composing Music includes the first published description of aleatoric composition—music composed by chance—albeit deliberately satirical in intent. In his Remarks he reveals much about his aesthetic outlook: in particular that he valued the music of Handel
HANDEL
HANDEL was the code-name for the UK's National Attack Warning System in the Cold War. It consisted of a small console consisting of two microphones, lights and gauges. The reason behind this was to provide a back-up if anything failed....
and Corelli
Arcangelo Corelli
Arcangelo Corelli was an Italian violinist and composer of Baroque music.-Biography:Corelli was born at Fusignano, in the current-day province of Ravenna, although at the time it was in the province of Ferrara. Little is known about his early life...
over that of Rameau, Benedetto Marcello
Benedetto Marcello
Benedetto Marcello was a Venetian composer, writer, advocate, magistrate, and teacher.-Life:...
and Geminiani. Finally, the Anecdotes offer insights into the organization of provincial music festivals in the mid-eighteenth century. Hayes bequeathed his important and wide-ranging music library to his son Philip Hayes; the manuscripts of both father and son eventually passed to the Bodleian Library
Bodleian Library
The Bodleian Library , the main research library of the University of Oxford, is one of the oldest libraries in Europe, and in Britain is second in size only to the British Library...
, Oxford in 1801.
Sacred works
- The Fall of Jericho, oratorio, c. 1740–50
- Sixteen Psalms (London, 1773)
- David, oratorio, completed by Philip Hayes
- around 20 anthems and service music, in Cathedral Music in Score, edited by Philip Hayes (Oxford, 1795)
Secular vocal works
- 12 Arietts or Ballads and 2 Cantatas (Oxford, 1735)
- When the fair consort, ode (Oxford, 1735)
- Circe, masque (Oxford, 1742)
- Six Cantatas (London, 1748)
- Peleus and Thetis c. 1749
- The Passions, ode, (text by William Collins), 1750
- Where shall the Muse, ode, 1751
- Hark! Hark from every tongue, ode, 1759
- Ode to the Memory of Mr. Handel, c. 1759
- Daughters of Beauty, ode, 1773
- Catches, Glees and Canons, books i–iv (London, 1757–85)
Instrumental works
- Six concerti grossi, strings (Bb, D, g, d, D, Bb)
- The Rival Nations, concerto
- Bassoon concerto, lost
- Harpsichord concerto in G, c. 1735–40
- Organ concerto in A
- Organ concerto in D, 1755
- Six trio sonatas (F, Bb, D, F, Bb, e)
Writings
- The Art of Composing Music by a Method Entirely New (London, 1751)
- Remarks on Mr. Avison’s Essay on Musical Expression (London, 1753)
- Anecdotes of the Five Music Meetings (Oxford, 1768)
Discography
- O Worship the Lord, in 'The Georgian Anthem', Choir of New College, Oxford, 1988 (Meridian, CDE 84151)
- Concertos, Sinfonias and Overtures, performed by Capriccio Basel, 2006 (Capriccio SACD 71135)
- Aria and Chorus from The Passions, Emma KirkbyEmma KirkbyDame Carolyn Emma Kirkby, DBE is an English soprano singer and one of the world's most renowned early music specialists. She attended Sherborne School For Girls in Dorset and was a classics student at Somerville College, Oxford, and an English teacher before developing a career as a soloist...
, Cantilation, Antony Walker, 2006 (ABC Classics 4765255) - The Passions (An Ode for Music, Oxford 1750). La Cetra Barockorchester Basel. Anthony RooleyAnthony RooleyAnthony Rooley is a British lutenist. He founded in 1969 and directs the early music ensemble the Consort of Musicke, which continues to be one of the chief vehicles for his inspiration, among many other activities and interests...
, Glossa (1 CD, June 2010) - William Hayes: Professor of Music. Vocal and Instrumental Music including Ode to Echo, Winter Scene at Ross, Concertos (including Harpsichord Concerto), Trio sonata in E minor. Corelli Orchestra, Evelyn Tubb. www.corelliconcerts.co.uk