The Enchiridion

Biographical Notes (Wade - Werner)

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Wade, John Francis
b. ? : 1710 or 1711
d. Douai, France: 16 August 1786

He was an English Roman Catholic layman who lived for many years in Douai, which was a refuge for English Catholics after the abdication of James II in 1688. Wade taught music and Latin, and specialized in copying plainsong and other music for use in the private chapels of wealthy Roman Catholic families. A volume of his collected manuscripts (1751) is preserved at Stonyhurst College, nead Blackburn, Lancashire.

Xref:
RS-160 O come, all ye faithful
 

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Wainwright, John
b. Stockport, Cheshire: 1723 (bapt. 14 April)
d. Stockport: 1768 (buried 28 January)

He was appointed a `singing man' in the Collegiate Church Manchester (now the Cathedral) in 1746, and deputy organist in 1748. He was apparently organist of Stockport Parish Church in 1750 and returned to the Collegiate Church as organist, 1767-68.

He published A Collection of Psalm Tunes, Anthems, Hymns and Chants in 1766.

His two sons Richard and Robert were also closely connected with the organ and musical activities of the Manchester church and elsewhere (see the notes cross-referenced).

(See also GDM; OCM)

Xrefs:
RS-158 Yorkshire
 

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Wainwright, Richard
b. Manchester: 1757 (baptized 8 July)
d. Liverpool: 20 August 1825

The younger son of John Wainwright, he was a chorister at the Collegiate Church (now the Cathedral) Manchester from 1768; and was organist there from 1775 and also at St Ann's Church. He succeeded his elder brother Robert as organist of St Peter's Church Liverpool, 1782-1804 and 1812-24; and St James's, Toxteth Park 1804-12. He wrote glees, and edited a collection of hymns for the Liverpool Blue Coat Hospital c.1790.

(See also GDM; OCM)

Xref:
RS-697 Wainwright
 

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Wainwright, Robert
b. Manchester (? or Stockport): 1748 (baptized 17 September)
d. Liverpool: 15 July 1782

He succeeded his father John Wainwright as organist of the Collegiate Church Manchester (now the Cathedral), 1768-75. He was the organist of St Peter's, Liverpool (later the Old Cathedral) 1775-82. In both these posts he was succeeded by his younger brother Richard.

He composed instrumental music, an oratorio, and church music.

(See also GDM; OCM)

Xref:
RS-206=299 Manchester
 

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Walmisley, Thomas Attwood
b. Westminster, London: 21 January 1814
d. Hastings, Sussex: 17 January 1856

He studied with his father, T.F.Walmisley (who was organist of St Martin-in-the Fields, London, from 1814-54), and with his godfather Thomas Attwood. He was organist of Croydon Parish Church 1830-33; then went to Cambridge where he had a distinguished mathematical, literary and musical career from 1833 to 1856. He was simultaneously organist of Trinity and St John's Colleges and deputy at King's College and the University Church; and thus sometimes played for eight services on a Sunday.

He was University Professor of Music from 1836-56, being appointed while he was still a student; and he did much to raise the standing of music in the University. He was a friend of Mendelssohn and, like him, a pioneer enthusiast for Bach's music.

His compositions, which are conservative in style, are mostly for voices, and are primarily church music; the best known is his Evening Service in D minor, the first full service to have an independent organ accompaniment. He published collections of anthems, services and chants; and most of his own compositions were published after his death by his father.

(See also DNB; GDM; OCM)

Xref:
RS-672 Double Chant in F
also
T.A.Walmisley: Collection of Chants &c.
 

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Walt(h)er, Johann
b. Gotha, bei Kahla, Thuringia: 1496
d. Torgau, Saxony: 25 March 1570

In 1542 he was a bass singer in the choir at Torgau when Luther summoned him to Wittenberg to help in preparing the music for the services of the Lutheran Church, and particularly for the new Communion service. He spent three weeks in Luther's house on the task, adapting, where possible, old music to new use and harmonizing the melodies in five parts.

In 1526 he was appointed choirmaster to Elector Johann of Saxony. In 1530 the town of Torgau appointed him to direct the reconstituted Electoral Orchestra; and in 1534 he became singing master of the school there. In 1548 he accompanied the Elector Moritz to Dresden as his Kapellmeister, returning to Torgau in 1554. He wrote some hymns; but was more notable as a composer.

(See also GDM; OCM; Julian pp.1231b-1232a)

Xref:
RS-235 Christ lag in Todesbanden
 

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Ward, Pamela
b. Nelson, Lancashire: 23 November 1946

From Clitheroe Royal Grammar School she went to Edinburgh University, and then to the Northern Congregational College and Manchester University. She was ordained a Congregational Minister in 1972 (just before the formation of the United Reformed Church); and served pastorates in Hull (South Ella and, later, Newington) 1972-78; Wigton Moor, Leeds 1978-84; Erdington, Birmingham 1984-97; and Morpeth 1997- .

Xrefs:

RS-480 Holly Lane
 

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Wardlaw, Ralph
b. Dalkeith, Midlothian: 22 December 1779
d. Easterhouse, Lanarkshire: 17 December 1853

 

(See also DNB; Julian pp.1232b-1233a) 

Xref:
RS-631 O Lord our God, arise
also
R.Wardlaw: Selection of Hymns &c.
 

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Waring, Anna Laetitia
b. Neath, Glamorgan: 19 April 1823
d. Clifton, Bristol: 10 May 1910

 

(See also DNB; Julian pp.1233b-1234a) 

Xref:
RS-590 In heavenly love abiding
also
A.L.Waring: Hymn Collections
  

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Warrack, Guy Douglas Hamilton
b. Edinburgh: 8 February 1900
d. ? Surrey: 12 February 1986

He was educated at Winchester, Magdalen College Oxford, and the Royal College of Music where he studied composition with Vaughan Williams and conducting with Sir Adrian Boult. He was on the teaching staff of the RCM 1925-35. He was conductor of the Handel Society 1934-35; of the BBC Scottish Orchestra 1936-45; and of the Sadler's Wells Ballet 1948-51.

He composed a symphony and other orchestral works, songs, piano pieces amd film music; but he specialized in arranging older music for modern orchestra.

(See also GDM)

Xref:
RS-275 Wellington Square
 

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Warrell, Arthur Sydney
b. Farmborough, Somerset: 5 December 1882
d. Bristol: 12 August 1939

He studied under Hubert W.Hunt, organist of Bristol Cathedral, becoming his assistant 1902-11. He was organist of several Bristol churches, and lecturer in music in the Department of Education, Bristol University, from 1909.

He conducted several choirs, and wrote a good deal of choral music.

Xref:
RS-630 Farmborough
 

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Warren, Norman Leonard
b. Sydenham, S.London: 19 July 1934

He was educated at Dulwich College; Corpus Christi College Cambridge, where his studies included music; and Ridley Hall Theological College Cambridge. He was ordained in 1960, and was successively curate at Bedworth 1960-63; vicar of St Paul's, Leamington Priors 1963-77; rector of Mordern, Surrey 1977-89; and archdeacon of Rochester from 1989.

He was closely involved with the preparation of Youth Praise 1966 and 1969; and since then has been an industrious member of the `Jubilate' group, contributing many tunes, carols, psalm chants and arrangements to their publications. He has also written several booklets for the Scripture Union.

Xrefs:
RS-234 Alleluia
RS-377 The Lord's day
 

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Watts, Isaac
b. Southampton, Hampshire: 17 July 1674
d. Abney Park, Stoke Newington, Middlesex: 25 November 1748

 

(See also DNB; Julian pp.1236-41) 

Xrefs:
RS-488 Awake, our souls; away, our fears
RS-93 Begin, my tongue, some heavenly theme
RS-587 Behold the amazing gift of love
RS-588 Blest be the everlasting God
RS-381 Come, dearest Lord, descend and dwell
RS-299 Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly Dove
RS-382 Come, let us join our cheerful songs
RS-384 Come, we that love the Lord
RS-723 From all that dwell below the skies [Ps.117]
RS-664 Give me the wings of faith to rise
RS-94 Give to our God immortal praise [Ps.136]
RS-31 God is a name my soul adores
RS-61 Hast thou not known, hast thou not heard
RS-133 How beauteous are their feet
RS-+563 How pleased and blest was I [Ps.122]
RS-43 I sing the almighty power of God
RS-734 I'll praise my maker while I've breath [Ps.146]
RS-428 I'm not ashamed to own my Lord
RS-434 Jesus invites his saints
RS-269 Jesus shall reign where'er the sun [Ps.72]
RS-280 Join all the glorious names
RS-135 Joy to the world, the Lord is come [Ps.98]
RS-316 Lord, I have made thy word my choice [Ps.119]
RS-205 My dear Redeemer and my Lord
RS-115 My God, my king, thy various praise [PS.145]
RS-716 My soul, repeat his praise [Ps.103]
RS-219 Nature with open volume stands
RS-369 No more, my God, I boast no more
RS-284 Now to the Lord a noble song
RS-705 Our God, our help in ages past [Ps.90]
RS-50 Praise ye the Lord, 'tis good to raise [Ps.147]
RS-119 Sing to the Lord with joyful voice [Ps.100]
RS-320 The heavens declare thy glory, Lord [Ps.19]
RS-668 There is a land of pure delight
RS-376 This is the day the Lord has made [Ps.118]
RS-37 We give immortal praise
RS-290 What equal honours shall we bring
RS-217 When I survey the wondrous Cross
RS-206 With joy we meditate the grace
also
Horae Lyricae
Hymns & Spiritual Songs
Divine Songs
Psalms of David Imitated . . .
  

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Waugh, Benjamin
b. Settle, Yorkshire: 20 February 1839
d. Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex: 11 March 1908

 

(See also DNB; Julian p.1241b) 

Xref:
RS-411 Now let us see thy beauty, Lord
 

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Weale, William (a.k.a. Wale, Wheal, Wheall, Wheale)
b. Bedford: ? 1696 (baptized 14 August)
d. Bedford: 1727 (buried 4 September)

Little is known of him except that he was appointed organist of St Paul's Parish Church, Bedford in 1715 on condition that he qualified himself for the post. He duly graduated Mus.Bac. at Cambridge in 1719, and remained in the post until his death eight years later.

Xref:
RS-337 Bedford
 

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Webb, Benjamin
b. (City of) London: 28 November 1819
d. St Marylebone, London: 27 November 1885

 

(See also DNB; Julian p.1245) 

Xrefs:
RS-283 O Love, how deep, how broad, how high
RS-254 Sing we triumphant hymns of praise
 

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Webbe, Samuel (the elder)
b. ? London: 1740
d. St Pancras, London: 25 May 1816

He was the son of a newly appointed government official in Minorca, who had died before his wife and infant son could join him there. At the age of 11 the boy was apprenticed to a cabinet maker; but he abandoned that trade to become a music copyist and to study languages. He took lessons from the organist of the Chapel of the Bavarian Embassy in London, and he was appointed organist of the chapel of the Portuguese Embassy in 1776; soon afterwards he was playing also at the Spanish and Sardinian Embassies.

He composed much music for the Roman Catholic services in these chapels and some instrumental music; but is better known for his many part-songs, glees and catches; he was librarian of the Glee Club 1787 and secretary of the Catch Club 1794-1812.

He (probably) edited An Essay on the Church Plain Chant 1782 (a collection for use in the Roman Catholic Chapels in London), and with his son Samuel compiled A Collection of Motetts or Antiphons 1792.

(See also DNB; GDM; OCM)

Xrefs:
RS-138 Corinth
RS-536=562 Melcombe
RS-297 Veni Sancte Spiritus
 

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Webbe, Samuel (the younger)
b. London: 17 October 1768
d. Hammersmith, Middlesex: 25 November 1843

 

He studied with his father (also Samuel) and with Muzio Clementi (b.1752-d.1832). In 1794, when his father won his last Catch Club prize, Samuel junior won his first; and in many other ways his career was a continuation of his father's. He was organist of Paradise Street Unitarian Church Liverpool 1798-1817; then returned to London to teach music, and briefly succeeded his father as organist at the Spanish Embassy in 1817. He again settled in Liverpool; and was organist at the Roman Catholic churches of St Nicholas, 1818; and St Patrick's, Toxteth Park, 1819.

He wrote some text-books on music theory and composed instrumental music, glees and catches. He collaborated with his father on A Collection of Motetts or Antiphons 1792, and compiled A Collection of Psalm-tunes 1808.

(See also DNB; GDM; OCM)

Xref:
RS-376 Richmond
 

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Weisse, Michael
b. Neisse, Silesia, c.1480
d. Landskron, Bohemia: (buried) 19 March 1534

[ Biographical details based on note by James Mearns, in Julian p.1247 (shortened and adapted) ]

He became a (Roman Catholic) priest, and for some time was a monk at Breslau. When the early writings of Luther came into his hands, he and two other monks at Breslau abandoned the convent and sought refuge with the Bohemian Brethren at Leutomischl in Bohemia. He was admitted as a priest among the Brethren in 1531, and in 1532 was appointed a member of their Select Council; but from 1520 or earlier he performed a number of tasks for them or on their behalf, including visits to Luther to explain the Brethren's views and to report back on the practices of the Lutheran Reformers.

His main lasting contribution to the Brethren (and to the rest of the Christian Church) was to edit the first German hymn-book of the Bohemian Brethren (Ein Neu Gesenbuchlein, 1531), in which most of the hymns were either translations or original compositions by himself.

For the last part of his career he worked at Landskron, where he was the recognized German Preacher (and apparently founder of the German communities) among the Bohemian Brethren. His precise date of death is not known.

Xrefs:
RS-233 Christ the Lord is risen again
RS-450 Gildas
RS-317 Ravenshaw
RS-238 Vulpius
 

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Werner, Johann G.
b. ? : ? (fl.1815)
d. ? : ?

 

Xref:
RS-380 Ratisbon
 

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(The Rejoice & Sing Enchiridion:edited by David Goodall; last amended 17/5/03)