Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810-1876)

Series

Episode

First
Broadcast

Comments

2010

20100817

Forget Samuel Sebastian Wesley as a pillar of the Anglican Cathedral world - he was an eccentric, inconsistent and irascible character - Donald Macleod marks the bicentenary of Wesley's birth, surveying the composer's life and music.

Wesley was very unhappy at Hereford Cathedral, and sought a new position elsewhere. He eventually moved to Exeter Cathedral, but not before he married the sister of the Dean of Hereford. Once at Exeter, Wesley soon was involved in local organisations such as the Glee Club, and the Devon Madrigal Society.

In today's episode, Donald Macleod introduces a glee, I wish to tune my quiv'ring lyre, which won Wesley a prize from the Manchester Glee Club. Also the anthem Let us lift up our heart, which Wesley composed when he wasn't too busy out fishing, and neglecting his Cathedral duties.

Rare works by SS Wesley - his competition-winning Glee and the Symphony in C.

2010

20100818

Wesley's relationship with the Dean and Chapter at Exeter Cathedral turned very sour. He was invited to Leeds to give the opening recital on their new organ, and soon accepted the post of organist there. During his time at Leeds, Wesley was in demand as an organist all over the country, but he also started to put into print his views of the Clergy's control over music.

In today's episode Donald Macleod traces Wesley's move from rural Devon to the industrialised north - a move the composer regretted for the rest of his life. Also there is the Magnificat from Wesley's service in E, which he published accompanied by an introduction in which he publically criticised Cathedrals for their inadequate choirs and organs.

Wesley's disputes with Exeter Cathedral precipitate a move to the industrialised North.

2010

20100819

Although the city of Leeds was sad to see Wesley leave, he had again fallen out with the clergy over his outspoken views, and absenteeism. Wesley now took a new post at Winchester Cathedral, and for a period, worked harmoniously with the Precentor there - that is until a new Precentor arrived introducing his own music into the services.

In today's programme Donald Macleod charts Wesley's move from Leeds to Winchester, including a new enterprise for the composer into the realm of hymnody, and his most famous hymn tune - Aurelia. Also, the BBC Singers perform an anthem not heard since 1854 - By the word of the Lord.

Another dispute forces Wesley to move from Leeds to Winchester.

2010

05 LAST

20100820

One final move for Wesley from Winchester Cathedral to Gloucester, where in the final years of his life, he was little concerned with his contractual duties. His acceptance of the post at Gloucester caused quite a shock - one Canon noted, 'it was as if the Archbishop of Canterbury had applied for a minor Canonry.' Wesley finally got his wished-for return to Devon though, when he was buried at Exeter next to the grave of his daughter. For one who gave so much music to the Anglican Church, his funeral was conducted in silence with no music at all.

In this final episode, Donald Macleod charts Wesley's final years, including a work commissioned by Charles Gounod - The Praise of Music - and Wesley's most famous anthem - Ascribe unto the Lord - which the composer orchestrated later in life.

Wesley finally gets his wish to return to Devon, via Gloucester.

Episodes

Series	Episode	First Broadcast	Comments
2010	02	20100817	Forget Samuel Sebastian Wesley as a pillar of the Anglican Cathedral world - he was an eccentric, inconsistent and irascible character - Donald Macleod marks the bicentenary of Wesley's birth, surveying the composer's life and music. Wesley was very unhappy at Hereford Cathedral, and sought a new position elsewhere. He eventually moved to Exeter Cathedral, but not before he married the sister of the Dean of Hereford. Once at Exeter, Wesley soon was involved in local organisations such as the Glee Club, and the Devon Madrigal Society. In today's episode, Donald Macleod introduces a glee, I wish to tune my quiv'ring lyre, which won Wesley a prize from the Manchester Glee Club. Also the anthem Let us lift up our heart, which Wesley composed when he wasn't too busy out fishing, and neglecting his Cathedral duties. Rare works by SS Wesley - his competition-winning Glee and the Symphony in C.
2010	03	20100818	Forget Samuel Sebastian Wesley as a pillar of the Anglican Cathedral world - he was an eccentric, inconsistent and irascible character - Donald Macleod marks the bicentenary of Wesley's birth, surveying the composer's life and music. Wesley's relationship with the Dean and Chapter at Exeter Cathedral turned very sour. He was invited to Leeds to give the opening recital on their new organ, and soon accepted the post of organist there. During his time at Leeds, Wesley was in demand as an organist all over the country, but he also started to put into print his views of the Clergy's control over music. In today's episode Donald Macleod traces Wesley's move from rural Devon to the industrialised north - a move the composer regretted for the rest of his life. Also there is the Magnificat from Wesley's service in E, which he published accompanied by an introduction in which he publically criticised Cathedrals for their inadequate choirs and organs. Wesley's disputes with Exeter Cathedral precipitate a move to the industrialised North.
2010	04	20100819	Forget Samuel Sebastian Wesley as a pillar of the Anglican Cathedral world - he was an eccentric, inconsistent and irascible character - Donald Macleod marks the bicentenary of Wesley's birth, surveying the composer's life and music. Although the city of Leeds was sad to see Wesley leave, he had again fallen out with the clergy over his outspoken views, and absenteeism. Wesley now took a new post at Winchester Cathedral, and for a period, worked harmoniously with the Precentor there - that is until a new Precentor arrived introducing his own music into the services. In today's programme Donald Macleod charts Wesley's move from Leeds to Winchester, including a new enterprise for the composer into the realm of hymnody, and his most famous hymn tune - Aurelia. Also, the BBC Singers perform an anthem not heard since 1854 - By the word of the Lord. Another dispute forces Wesley to move from Leeds to Winchester.
2010	05 LAST	20100820	Forget Samuel Sebastian Wesley as a pillar of the Anglican Cathedral world - he was an eccentric, inconsistent and irascible character - Donald Macleod marks the bicentenary of Wesley's birth, surveying the composer's life and music. One final move for Wesley from Winchester Cathedral to Gloucester, where in the final years of his life, he was little concerned with his contractual duties. His acceptance of the post at Gloucester caused quite a shock - one Canon noted, 'it was as if the Archbishop of Canterbury had applied for a minor Canonry.' Wesley finally got his wished-for return to Devon though, when he was buried at Exeter next to the grave of his daughter. For one who gave so much music to the Anglican Church, his funeral was conducted in silence with no music at all. In this final episode, Donald Macleod charts Wesley's final years, including a work commissioned by Charles Gounod - The Praise of Music - and Wesley's most famous anthem - Ascribe unto the Lord - which the composer orchestrated later in life. Wesley finally gets his wish to return to Devon, via Gloucester.