Description
for SSATB and organ Written in 1852 in the wake of S.S.Wesley's groundbreaking Service in E this is an equally ambitious work with an important obbligato organ part. With only one change of tempo, it has an unflagging forward momentum. An ideal work for those occasions when a large-scale, expansive setting is wanted.
About the Author
Henry Smart was born in London, and was the nephew of Sir George Smart, the eminent conductor and Organist of the Chapel Royal. He studied law before turning to a career in music. From 1831-36 he was Organist of Blackburn Parish Church, but returned to London to take up the post of Organist at St Giles-without-Cripplegate. Later he moved to St Luke's, Old Street, and finally in 1864, to St Pancras New Church. For the last fifteen years of his life he was totally blind and dictated his compositions to his daughter. Several of his hymn tunes enjoy popularity today and appear in a number of modern hymn books.
Reviews
Perhaps this publication will boost their popularity, for the music is of singular beauty. This is Victorian church music in the best possible sense: it contains grandeur, stateliness, and counterpoint nearly worthy of Brahms, while avoiding the excesses of the era. The harmony is reserved rather than decadent, and the musical effects are natural rather than contrived . . . The Magnificat is expansive and lengthy, full of souring melodies and an attention to architecture that foreshadows Stanford. Both canticles conclude with the same extended Gloria Patri bringing each to a thrilling finale. * Jason Overall, Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, September 14 *
Peter Horton's preface makes reference to William Husk's observation that Smart was interesting if unoriginal. That's probably true, but the same could justifiably be said about much music written for the Anglican church. Smart in G evening canticles are just that. It would be overstating the case to claim that Smart in G was an early-Victorian masterpiece, but given the competition (Wesley in E aside) it's as good as it gets. * Jeremy Summerly, Choir & Organ, March 14 *
Book Information
ISBN 9780193953994
Author Henry Smart
Page Count 40
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 90g
Dimensions(mm) 231mm * 175mm * 4mm
About the Author
Henry Smart was born in London, and was the nephew of Sir George Smart, the eminent conductor and Organist of the Chapel Royal. He studied law before turning to a career in music. From 1831-36 he was Organist of Blackburn Parish Church, but returned to London to take up the post of Organist at St Giles-without-Cripplegate. Later he moved to St Luke's, Old Street, and finally in 1864, to St Pancras New Church. For the last fifteen years of his life he was totally blind and dictated his compositions to his daughter. Several of his hymn tunes enjoy popularity today and appear in a number of modern hymn books.
Reviews
Perhaps this publication will boost their popularity, for the music is of singular beauty. This is Victorian church music in the best possible sense: it contains grandeur, stateliness, and counterpoint nearly worthy of Brahms, while avoiding the excesses of the era. The harmony is reserved rather than decadent, and the musical effects are natural rather than contrived . . . The Magnificat is expansive and lengthy, full of souring melodies and an attention to architecture that foreshadows Stanford. Both canticles conclude with the same extended Gloria Patri bringing each to a thrilling finale. * Jason Overall, Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians, September 14 *
Peter Horton's preface makes reference to William Husk's observation that Smart was interesting if unoriginal. That's probably true, but the same could justifiably be said about much music written for the Anglican church. Smart in G evening canticles are just that. It would be overstating the case to claim that Smart in G was an early-Victorian masterpiece, but given the competition (Wesley in E aside) it's as good as it gets. * Jeremy Summerly, Choir & Organ, March 14 *
Book Information
ISBN 9780193953994
Author Henry Smart
Page Count 40
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 90g
Dimensions(mm) 231mm * 175mm * 4mm
