John Goss

Sir John Goss (December 27, 1800 - May 10, 1880) was an English organist and composer ["New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians" 1980, London, McMillan ISBN 0333231112 Vol 7 p 559] , perhaps best known for his hymn "Praise my Soul, the King of Heaven" [ "The music of the English parish church", Temperley,N: 1979, Cambridge, C.U.P] (words by Henry Francis Lyte).

Early life

He was born in Fareham where his father was organist at the parish church [James (ibid)] and studied under Thomas Attwood ["The Book of Fareham: from Market Town to Market Quay" Burton,L/Musselwhite,B: Tiverton, Halsgrove 2006 ISBN 1841145076] , whom he succeeded as organist at St. Paul's Cathedral in 1838 ["Notes on Old City Churches: their organs, organists and musical associations" Pearce,C.W: 1909, London, Winthrop Rogers Ltd Appendix I p XXiii] . He was a contemporary of James Turle at Westminster Abbey. Goss's own pupils included Arthur Sullivan and Frederic Hymen Cowen ["Oxford Companion to Music" Scoles,P.A.(Ed): 1955, Oxford, OUP, p418] .

Composer

As a composer, he is best remembered for his Anglican church music [ "The choral revival in the Anglican church, 1839–1872" Rainbow,B: 1970, London, Barrie and Jenkins ISBN 0257650881] and glees. His "Evening Service in E major" was very popular in its day but, to modern ears, now sounds very datedfact|date=November 2007. This setting, however, is still sung at Westminster Abbey. His anthem "O Saviour of the World" is also widely performed, as are many of his Anglican chants [ChoralWiki] . Goss was knighted in 1872 [Oxford "Dictionary of National Biography" Lee,S/Stephen,L(Ed) 1937-38 revision, Oxford, Oxford University Press Vol 22 p 258] and died in London ["The Times" Wednesday, May 12, 1880; pg. 13; Issue 29879; col B] . A century later The Fareham Society added a Blue Plaque to his former home ["Fareham Society Newsletter No 11", article by A.W.Griggs dated Spring 1980]

Notes

External links

* [http://www.guildmusic.com/composer/gossj.htm Recordings]

Video clips

* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSFgoEAkTgE "Songs of Praise"] at Coventry Cathedral
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA3n5CVL8gQ School choirs] on "Songs of Praise"

Audio clips

* [http://www.theclassicalshop.net/mp3samples/CH/CHAN241-1119T01D02.wma "Praise My Soul the King of Heaven"] performed by the Besses o' th' Barn Band arranged by Gordon Langford