Henry Smart

Henry Thomas Smart ( born October 25, 1813 in London, † July 6, 1879 ) was an English organist and composer.

The son of the violinist Henry Smart and nephew of the conductor Sir George Smart studied law before turning himself entirely to music. Building on the lessons he had as a child with his father, he taught himself as a musician and soon became a noted organist.

In 1831 he became organist at the Parish Church, Blackburn, Lancashire, where his first major composition, a Reformation Anthem arose. He then held positions as organist in London at St. Philip's in Regent Street (1838-1839), at St. Luke's in Old Street (1844-1864) and at St. Pancras Church ( 1865-1879 ). In 1851 he was one of five organists who were invited to perform at the Great Exhibition.

Smart composed hymns and organ pieces, songs, duets and trios, cantatas and one oratorio. His opera Bertha in 1855 successfully performed at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. He published several volumes of hymn and psalm settings, composed pieces for Hymns Ancient and Modern ( 1861) and Psalms and Hymns (1867 ) and designed the organs of the Town Hall of Leeds ( 1858) and St. Andrew's Hall, Glasgow (1877 ). He also wrote music reviews for the magazine Atlas. In his last years, Smart was blind. During this time he dictated his compositions of his daughter Ellen, who was married to Joseph Joachim's brother Heinrich ( Henry).

Publications

  • Psalms and Hymns for Divine Worship, 1867
  • The Presbyterian Hymnal, 1875

Swell

  • Hymns and Carols for Christmas - Henry Thomas Smart
  • Online Encyclopedia - Henry Smart
  • Composer
  • Classic organist
  • Born in 1813
  • Died in 1879
  • Man
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