Samuel Wesley

Donald Macleod delves into the life and work of Samuel Wesley.

Samuel Wesley was a child prodigy, and it was the older composer William Boyce who said of the boy that he was the English Mozart, and that he had dropped down from heaven. Wesley’s star speedily ascended to the heights from an early age as both performer and composer, but with issues surrounding his often extreme character, and also his health and morals, this ascendency was not to last. His popularity went in and out of fashion during his lifetime, and trying to secure a permanent position as an organist was something which eluded him for a long time. However, he was one of Britain’s leading musicians, mixed in the highest circles, and was responsible for promoting the largely unknown J. S. Bach to these shores. Towards the end of his life, famous musicians and composers sought Wesley out and even Mendelssohn asked the famed organist Samuel Wesley to play for him. We’re only just beginning to understand Wesley’s importance to the development of British classical music, and many of his substantial works, including numerous concertos for piano, organ, and violin, and large scale works for choir and orchestra, all still remain to be recorded.

In this week’s episode, we’ll hear about Wesley’s religious background and fluctuating views, his circle of friends, his virtuosic performance career, his passion for JS Bach, and the mystery surrounding his health.

Music featured: Symphony in A major (Brillante) O Lord God most holy Might I in thy sight appear Psalm 42 & 43 Dixit Dominus Preludium, Ariette & Fuga in C minor Symphony in A major Fugue in B minor for Dr Mendelssohn Sinfonia obbligato O sing unto mie roundelaie Voluntary in D Air and Gavotte Violin Concerto No 2 in D major Sonatina Op 4 No 1 Sonatina Op 4 No 2 Duet for the organ Symphony in E flat Arrangement with Variation of Rule Britannia Rondo on God rest you merry, Gentlemen All go unto one place Duet in B flat major (for Eliza) Voluntary in D, Op 6 No 8 Handel Arr. Wesley Rejoice the Lord is King Symphony in D major String Quartet in E flat major (Allegro spiritoso) Confitebor tibi, Domine Voluntary in G minor Ode to St Cecilia (extract) Might I in thy sight appear Memoriam fecit mirabilium suorum Symphony in B flat major Fidelia omnia mandata ejus Presented by Donald Macleod Produced by Luke Whitlock for BBC Wales

For full tracklistings, including artist and recording details, and to listen to the pieces featured in full (for 30 days after broadcast) head to the series page for Samuel Wesley https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000dy1k

And you can delve into the A-Z of all the composers we’ve featured on Composer of the Week here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/3cjHdZlXwL7W41XGB77X3S0/composers-a-to-z