Composer. He was an important transitional figure in English music of the 1700s. His early compositions, among them "Ode for St. Cecilia's Day" (1739) and the "Twelve Trio Sonatas" (published 1747), were written in the Baroque manner. The "Eight Symphonies" (1760) and "Twelve Overtures" (1770) show him following the trend toward early Classicism. He also wrote anthems and much theatre music. The song "Heart of Oak" (1759) is probably his best known piece. Boyce was born in London. He was a boy chorister at St. Paul's Cathedral and began studying music with Maurice Greene after his voice broke. His first professional appointment was in 1734 as a church organist, and he held many similar posts before being named Master of the King's Musick in 1755 and organist of the Chapel Royal in 1758. Boyce's rivalry with composer Thomas Arne culminated in the "War of the Theatres" of 1750, which saw both men writing incidental music for competing productions of "Romeo and Juliet," Boyce for the Drury Lane Theatre, Arne for Covent Garden. The public favored Boyce's version. From the beginning of his career Boyce suffered from increasing hearing loss. When his deafness finally forced him to retire in 1769, he edited the three-volume compilation "Cathedral Music" (published 1778), which his teacher Greene had begun before his death. From a historical standpoint this is Boyce's most important work, because he helped preserve two centuries of English church music, including compositions by William Byrd and Henry Purcell. After his death Boyce was largely forgotten until the 1930s, when Constant Lambert edited and sometimes conducted his music.
Composer. He was an important transitional figure in English music of the 1700s. His early compositions, among them "Ode for St. Cecilia's Day" (1739) and the "Twelve Trio Sonatas" (published 1747), were written in the Baroque manner. The "Eight Symphonies" (1760) and "Twelve Overtures" (1770) show him following the trend toward early Classicism. He also wrote anthems and much theatre music. The song "Heart of Oak" (1759) is probably his best known piece. Boyce was born in London. He was a boy chorister at St. Paul's Cathedral and began studying music with Maurice Greene after his voice broke. His first professional appointment was in 1734 as a church organist, and he held many similar posts before being named Master of the King's Musick in 1755 and organist of the Chapel Royal in 1758. Boyce's rivalry with composer Thomas Arne culminated in the "War of the Theatres" of 1750, which saw both men writing incidental music for competing productions of "Romeo and Juliet," Boyce for the Drury Lane Theatre, Arne for Covent Garden. The public favored Boyce's version. From the beginning of his career Boyce suffered from increasing hearing loss. When his deafness finally forced him to retire in 1769, he edited the three-volume compilation "Cathedral Music" (published 1778), which his teacher Greene had begun before his death. From a historical standpoint this is Boyce's most important work, because he helped preserve two centuries of English church music, including compositions by William Byrd and Henry Purcell. After his death Boyce was largely forgotten until the 1930s, when Constant Lambert edited and sometimes conducted his music.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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