Composer, Organist, Singer. A key musical figure of England's Restoration Period. Born in Wiltshire, he joined the boys' chorus of the new Chapel Royal in 1660 and was appointed a gentleman there in 1675. From 1668 he was organist and chorus master of Salisbury Cathedral, and during the last year of his life was also chorus master at St. Paul's in London. Wise was a favorite of Charles II, and when accompanying him on progresses he claimed the privilege of playing the organ at any church the King visited. This indulgence may have saved his position at Salisbury in 1683, when he was accused of drunkeness, profanity and neglect of duty. Wise's rowdy behavior led to his untimely end. On August 24, 1687, storming out of his home after a spat with his wife, he got into an altercation with the Salisbury night watch and was clubbed to death. Along with John Blow and Pelham Humphrey, Wise did much to develop the church anthem, or English hymn; the pathos and expressive power of his music had a decided influence on Henry Purcell. Several of his 40 extant anthems are still performed today, including "The Ways of Zion Do Mourn", "Old Chiron", "Awake, Put On Thy Strength", and "How Are The Mighty Fallen". He also wrote several service and Psalm settings, a Magnificat, and secular songs published in the book "New Ayres and Dialogues" (1678).
Composer, Organist, Singer. A key musical figure of England's Restoration Period. Born in Wiltshire, he joined the boys' chorus of the new Chapel Royal in 1660 and was appointed a gentleman there in 1675. From 1668 he was organist and chorus master of Salisbury Cathedral, and during the last year of his life was also chorus master at St. Paul's in London. Wise was a favorite of Charles II, and when accompanying him on progresses he claimed the privilege of playing the organ at any church the King visited. This indulgence may have saved his position at Salisbury in 1683, when he was accused of drunkeness, profanity and neglect of duty. Wise's rowdy behavior led to his untimely end. On August 24, 1687, storming out of his home after a spat with his wife, he got into an altercation with the Salisbury night watch and was clubbed to death. Along with John Blow and Pelham Humphrey, Wise did much to develop the church anthem, or English hymn; the pathos and expressive power of his music had a decided influence on Henry Purcell. Several of his 40 extant anthems are still performed today, including "The Ways of Zion Do Mourn", "Old Chiron", "Awake, Put On Thy Strength", and "How Are The Mighty Fallen". He also wrote several service and Psalm settings, a Magnificat, and secular songs published in the book "New Ayres and Dialogues" (1678).
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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