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Scan 59
British Musical Biography, 1897
24 lines. Read by computer on 3 September 2026. Printed page 47. See the scan on archive.org.
1BINFIELD.
3(May 1890) Bilton was made Director pro tem, an office which he filled until his appointment as Bandmaster of the 17th Lancers, in February, 1891. He began composition very early, and his first attempt was a Grand Overture. This, rewritten and corrected, was performed at Woolwich, in 1878. At the Military Exhibition of 1890, he was awarded prizes for a Morning Service, Concert Overture, and a work for brass, military, and string band, singly and collectively. He has also written a Wind Quintet, Cantata, "The Wreck of the Hesperus," a Symphony, and Overtures.
5Binfield, a musical family of importance, for many years prominent in the town of Reading, Berks, where the first of the name, RICHARD BINFIELD, established a music business in 1799. He was organist of St Laurence Church from 1804 to the time of his death, 1839. The Berkshire Musical Festival, dating back at least to 1786, was for many years under his direction, and he conducted a performance of the "Messiah" so late as September 28, 1839, when Balfe sang some of the bass solos. He edited and compiled the Reading Psalmody, and Reading Choral Service, works much in use in the neighbourhood for a long time. His son, JOHN BILSON BINFIELD, born at Reading, 1805, was an organist, and appears to have continued the Triennial Festivals, as they were given up to the year 1846. He was the first to set Dean Milman's "Martyr of Antioch" to music (Milman being vicar of St. Mary's, Reading, 1818-35). He died at Reading, June 8, 1875. Another son, THOMAS BINFIELD, settled in London, where he was engaged as a violoncellist. He was also a good violinist and pianist. Member of the Royal Society of Musicians. Died, London, December 23, 1840.—R. L. BINFIELD, a third son, was in the business at Reading, and conducted Choral Concerts, but no particulars can be gleaned concerning him.—HANNAH RAMPTON BINFIELD, born at Reading, 1810, sister of those preceding, was in her turn proprietor of the business. She was an excellent pianist and harpist, and contributed many hymn tunes and chants to the collections edited by her father, whom she succeeded as organist of St. Laurence, a post she held for forty-five years. Her annual concerts were the chief events of the Reading musical season, and she played, at the Festival of 1839, a concerto upon the organ. Her death took place at Reading, May 2, 1887. FANNY JANE daughter of John Bilson Binfield, was a pianist and concert-giver, and an artist of repute. She died at Reading, September 3, 1881. Of other members of the family little can be ascertained, but LOUISA BINFIELD, as a performer on the concertina, was often heard at Reading and elsewhere from thirty to forty years ago. Another, Louisa
7BIRCH.
9Binfield, third daughter of Richard, died at Reading, November 26, 1856.
11Bingley, Rev. William, writer and clergyman, was born at Doncaster in 1774. He studied at Cambridge, where he graduated M.A. He died at London, March 11, 1823. Author of "Musical Biography, or Memoirs of the lives and writings of the most eminent musical composers and writers who have flourished in the different countries of Europe during the last three centuries," London, 1814, 2 vols.; 2nd edition, London, 1834, 2 vols. Animal Biography, 1802, 3 vols., etc. He also added "Sixty of the most admired Welsh airs, collected by W. Bingley, the basses and variations arranged for the pf. by W. Russell, jun.," London, 1810.
13Binney, Thomas, clergyman and author, published "The Service of Song in the House of the Lord," London, 1849. He edited Baird's Liturgies, and wrote numerous other works.
15Birch, Charlotte Ann, soprano vocalist, was born at London in 1815; and died there in 1857. She sang chiefly at London and provincial concerts.
17Birch, Edward, clergyman, author of "A Tract on Responding, with a postscript on Singing," Manchester, 1862.
19Birch, Edward Henry, organist. Received his training in music at the Cathedrals of Gloucester and Winchester. Graduated Mus. Bac., Oxford, 1875. Has held organ appointments successively at St. Saviour's, Eastbourne (1872); St. Gabriel's, Warwick Square, London (1873); All Saints', Kensington Park (1874); St. James's, Notting Hill (1886); Choirmaster, St. Columba's, Notting Hill. His compositions include a cantata, "Vortigern and Rowena" (produced Ladbroke Hall, Notting Hill, April 12, 1891), an Evening service, and other church music, organ pieces, etc.
21Birch, James Albert, alto vocalist, born at Sheffield, 1839. Sang in church choirs in Sheffield, and subsequently was in the choir of Canterbury Cathedral (1873-6); then at Westminster Abbey; and finally at the Chapel Royal, St. James's, a post he retired from in 1892, owing to ill health. Lecturer on vocal music at the Church Missionary College; founder and conductor of the Temperance Choral Society; and sometime conductor of the London Board School Festival Concerts at the Crystal Palace. Musical editor of the Standard Book of Song, for Temperance Meetings and Home Use, and author of a booklet, The Voice Trainer. A Vice-President of the Tonic Sol-fa Association, he was a zealous worker to the last. He died somewhat suddenly, at Hastings, June 22, 1895.
23Birch, Samuel, composer and minor poet, was born at London, November 8, 1757. He served as a Lord Mayor of London in 1815. Died at London, December 10, 1841.
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