John Reading (composer and organist)
Encyclopedia
John Reading was an English
composer
and organist
, and father of John Reading
(c. 1685 – 1764) who is remembered as an important music copyist
.
Little of John Reading’s life is known. He was born in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
, and became Master of the Choristers at Lincoln Cathedral
in 1670, and in 1675 at Chichester Cathedral
and at Winchester Cathedral
. From 1681 until his death he was organist at Winchester College
. Here he set the college’s Latin
graces to music as well as the school song Dulce domum. Several of his organ works were included in a collection which was completed by Daniel Roseingrave
. He also composed songs and theatre music. He died in Winchester
.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and organist
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, and father of John Reading
John Reading (composer, organist and copyist)
John Reading was an English composer, organist and copyist His greatest importance lies in his work as a transcriber, arranger and copyist of a wide variety of music.-Life:Little is known of John Reading’s early life...
(c. 1685 – 1764) who is remembered as an important music copyist
Copyist
A copyist is a person who makes written copies. In ancient times, a scrivener was also called a calligraphus . The term's modern use is almost entirely confined to music copyists, who are employed by the music industry to produce neat copies from a composer or arranger's manuscript.-Music...
.
Little of John Reading’s life is known. He was born in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Lincoln, Lincolnshire
Lincoln is a cathedral city and county town of Lincolnshire, England.The non-metropolitan district of Lincoln has a population of 85,595; the 2001 census gave the entire area of Lincoln a population of 120,779....
, and became Master of the Choristers at Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral
Lincoln Cathedral is a historic Anglican cathedral in Lincoln in England and seat of the Bishop of Lincoln in the Church of England. It was reputedly the tallest building in the world for 249 years . The central spire collapsed in 1549 and was not rebuilt...
in 1670, and in 1675 at Chichester Cathedral
Chichester Cathedral
The Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity, otherwise called Chichester Cathedral, is the seat of the Anglican Bishop of Chichester. It is located in Chichester, in Sussex, England...
and at Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe...
. From 1681 until his death he was organist at Winchester College
Winchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
. Here he set the college’s Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
graces to music as well as the school song Dulce domum. Several of his organ works were included in a collection which was completed by Daniel Roseingrave
Daniel Roseingrave
Daniel Roseingrave was an Irish organist and composer. He was organist at Gloucester Cathedral , Winchester Cathedral and Salisbury Cathedral , Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin together with St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin in 1698-1719. He composed some church music including a verse anthem Lord,...
. He also composed songs and theatre music. He died in Winchester
Winchester
Winchester is a historic cathedral city and former capital city of England. It is the county town of Hampshire, in South East England. The city lies at the heart of the wider City of Winchester, a local government district, and is located at the western end of the South Downs, along the course of...
.