John Christmas Beckwith (1759 – 1809) was an English
organist and composer. He was born in Norwich on 25
December 1759, son of Edward Beckwith (1734–1793).
His father and uncle were lay clerks at Norwich
Cathedral. He was for many years pupil and assistant
successively of the organist and composer William
Hayes, and his son Philip Hayes, at Magdalen College,
Oxford.
As an organist he took very high rank in his day. He
had many pupils, including the organist Zechariah Buck,
the comp...(+)
John Christmas Beckwith (1759 – 1809) was an English
organist and composer. He was born in Norwich on 25
December 1759, son of Edward Beckwith (1734–1793).
His father and uncle were lay clerks at Norwich
Cathedral. He was for many years pupil and assistant
successively of the organist and composer William
Hayes, and his son Philip Hayes, at Magdalen College,
Oxford.
As an organist he took very high rank in his day. He
had many pupils, including the organist Zechariah Buck,
the composer Stephen Codman, the singer Thomas Vaughan
and the writer on music Edward Taylor, who said of him:
"I have never heard Dr. Beckwith's equal upon the organ
either in this county or in Germany. … Neither is
this my opinion only, but that of every competent judge
who has heard him".
In Norwich, Beckwith was much involved in "musical
meetings", usually held in St Peter Mancroft; they
supported charities, some of which he was associated
with as a founder. In 1794 he was appointed organist of
St Peter Mancroft. He took both the Mus. Bac. and Mus.
Doc. degrees at Oxford in 1803, and in 1808 succeeded
Thomas Garland as organist of Norwich Cathedral.
He was married to Mary Elizabeth; they had three
daughters and three sons. His eldest son John Charles
Beckwith succeeded him as organist of Norwich
Cathedral. There is some doubt as to whether Beckwith
was christened John Christmas, or whether his second
name was only a nickname. In the works published by him
in his lifetime he is always described as John
Beckwith, but in the register of his burial the name is
stated as "John Christmas Beckwith, married man, an
organist of this parish", and it is by this name that
he is generally known. Beckwith died of a stroke on 3
June 1809, and was buried at St Peter Mancroft
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Christmas_Beckwith)
.
Although originally composed for Organ, I created this
Interpretation of the Voluntary I from Six Voluntaries
for String Quartet (2 Violins, Viola & Cello).
SHEET MUSIC