Michael Wise (musician)
Michael Wise (1648–1687) was an English organist and composer. He sang as a child in the choir of the Chapel Royal and served as a countertenor in St George's Chapel, Windsor, from 1666 until, in 1668, he was appointed organist and choirmaster at Salisbury Cathedral. In 1676 he became a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and in the last year of his life was Master of the Children at St Paul's Cathedral.
He was killed during a confrontation with a Salisbury night watchman:
"He had quarrelled with his wife on some trivial matter, and rushed out of his house. The watchman met him while he was yet boiling with rage, and commanding him to stand and give an account of himself, he struck the guardian of the peace to the ground, who in return aimed a blow at his assailant with his bill, which broke his skull, of the consequence whereof he died."[1]
Music[edit]
As well as Service Settings, his compositions include anthems such as:[2]
- How are the mighty fallen
- Awake up, my glory
- The ways of Zion do mourn
- Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy
- Prepare ye the way of the Lord
- Awake, put on thy strength
Wise also composed some catches and at least one once famous drinking song, Old Chiron.
He often composed for the unusual combination of a duet of bass and treble voices – for instance, in Old Chiron and The Ways of Zion do mourn.
The choir of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge issued a CD of Wise's Sacred Choral Music in 2008.[3]
References[edit]
- ^ John E. West (1899). Cathedral Organists Past and Present. Novello and Company Ltd.
- ^ The New Church Anthem Book. Oxford University Press, 1992, p. 77
- ^ Delphian Records DCD34041, reviewed at MusicWeb International
External links[edit]
- Free scores by Michael Wise (musician) in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
- Wise, Michael
- Video recording of 'Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy' sung by the Choir of Somerville College, Oxford
| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
| People | |
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- 1648 births
- 1687 deaths
- 17th-century English composers
- English Baroque composers
- English classical composers
- English classical organists
- Cathedral organists
- Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal
- 17th-century classical composers
- English male classical composers
- Children of the Chapel Royal
- 17th-century male musicians
- English male classical organists