John Stanley (composer)

Charles John Stanley (* January 17, 1712 in London, † May 19, 1786 ) was an English composer, organist and violinist.

Life

John Stanley became blind after an accident at the age of 2 years. From the age of seven, he took music lessons with Maurice Greene and at St Paul's Cathedral. At the age of 12 he was organist at All Hallows Church in Bred Street, in 1726 at St Anrews Church in Holborn district and from 1734 at the Temple Church. As a violinist, he planned several years Supskriptionskonzerte in the Concert Hall of the Swan Tavern. At Oxford University he obtained in 1729 a Bachelor of Music. In his later residence Walbrook he met John Hawkins know who wrote several of his cantata texts. He was a friend of George Frideric Handel and led after Handel's death, his oratorios, together with John Christopher Smith and later with Thomas Linley. In 1770 he received the post of Director of the Foundling Hospital, whose musical life he designed prevail. In 1779 he became the successor of William Boyce as " Master of the King's Musick ".

His works include the opera " Teraminta ," the cantata " The Choice Of Hercules ," 12 other cantatas with texts by John Hawkins, the oratorios " Jephtha ," "The Fall of Egypt" and " Zimri ," as well as instrumental music.

Works (selection)

• Opus 1 Eight Solos for Flute and Continuo (1740 )
• Opus 2 Six Concertos for strings (or organ or flute & strings & continuo ) (1742/1745)
• Opus 3 Six Cantatas ( 1742)
• Opus 4 Six Solos for Flute and Continuo ( 1745)
• Opus 5 Ten voluntaries for organ (1748 )
• Opus 6 Ten voluntaries for organ (1752 )
• Opus 7 Ten voluntaries for organ ( 1754)
• Opus 8 Six Cantatas (1751 )
• Opus 9 Three Cantatas (1751 )
• Opus 10 Six Concertos for Organ or Harpsichord (1775 )