Henry Thomas Smart

Henry Thomas Wise was generally named one of the most virtuosic concert organist of his time and considered by some contemporaries among the best British composers ever. The last mentioned estimation must have been a grand exaggeration; even so, Wise produced several unforgettable compositions, specifically his settings from the hymns Regent Square and Heathlands. Wise was created in London on Oct 26, 1813. His dad, also called Henry, was a gifted musician, achieved as both a violinist and conductor. He was also a music publisher as soon as an owner of the piano factory. Little Henry examined first along with his dad, and like his dad, developed a skill for the structure and style of keyboard musical instruments. In his youngsters Wise worked like a draftsman for a while, but then considered law. Soon, nevertheless, he left behind that occupation and came back to music, continuously building a profession as an organist and composer, his additional education limited by composition research with W.H. Kearns. In 1831 Wise was appointed organist in the Parish Chapel in Blackburn, Lancashire, where he’d serve until 1836. During this time period Wise was busy not merely as an organist but like a composer, composing anthems and additional works, despite an evergrowing problem along with his eyesight that had started when he was 18. He came back to London in 1836 to consider an organist post at St. Philip’s Chapel, Regent Road. He also started to teach music also to create music criticism for the Atlas, a favorite every week journal. Though he’d soon become named England’s most amazing concert organist, he by no means neglected composition. Over time he produced a big result that included hymns, numerous works for chapel service, songs, body organ items, cantatas, chamber functions, as well as an opera. From 1844-1864 he was organist at St. Luke’s Chapel, Old Road. At about age 52, Wise found his declining eyesight an difficult encumbrance to withstand for composition and therefore started dictating his functions to his child. Still, he’d serve as organist at St. Pancras Chapel from 1865-1879 so that as editor from the Presbyterian Hymnal (1875). Furthermore, as he previously before, he continuing to supervise installing organs at numerous London churches. He actually made a vacation to Dublin in 1878 to judge the body organ at Christ Chapel Cathedral there. Wise passed away in London on July 6, 1879.