Reginald Spofforth

Reginald Spofforth (1769 (baptised 12 September) - 8 September 1827) was an English musician. He was born in Southwell, Nottinghamshire but moved to London around 1790. He was active as an organist, conductor and music teacher, but he is best remembered as a composer. His best known works are the glees Hail Smiling Morn (which has been described as having been "possibly the most popular glee in the entire repertory") and Hark! the Lark at Heaven's Gate Sings, which are included in a number of recent collections of part-songs.

He composed about 75 glees, also three books of nursery rhyme settings and many songs and duets, including songs for various stage performances at Covent Garden in the 1790s. Two elaborate hymns (To Thee, our Saviour and our King, and I sing the almighty power of God) were published in John Page's 'A Collection of Hymns', dated 21 and 28 October 1804 respectively. He is thought not to have composed any instrumental music.

His brother Samuel was cathedral organist at Peterborough and Lichfield, and composed chants and cathedral music.

Birth and Death Data: Born September 12, 1769, Died September 8, 1827

Date Range of DAHR Recordings: 1904 - 1908

Roles Represented in DAHR: composer, lyricist

= Recordings are available for online listening.
= Recordings were issued from this master. No recordings issued from other masters.

Recordings

Company Matrix No. Size First Recording Date Title Primary Performer Description Role Audio
Victor A-1719 7-in. 9/28/1904 Hail smiling morn Haydn Quartet Male vocal quartet, unaccompanied composer, lyricist  
Victor B-1719 10-in. 9/28/1904 Hail smiling morn Haydn Quartet Male vocal quartet, unaccompanied composer, lyricist  
Victor B-6527 10-in. 10/11/1908 Hail, smiling morn Whitney Brothers Quartet Male vocal quartet, unaccompanied composer, lyricist  

Citation

Discography of American Historical Recordings, s.v. "Spofforth, Reginald," accessed March 28, 2024, https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104251.

Spofforth, Reginald. (2024). In Discography of American Historical Recordings. Retrieved March 28, 2024, from https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104251.

"Spofforth, Reginald." Discography of American Historical Recordings. UC Santa Barbara Library, 2024. Web. 28 March 2024.

DAHR Persistent Identifier

URI: https://adp.library.ucsb.edu/names/104251

Wikipedia content provided under the terms of the Creative Commons BY-SA license

Feedback

Send the Editors a message about this record.