Role

:

Composer

Country

:

United Kingdom

Birth

:

March 30, 1750 in Gloucester, England

Death

:

September 21, 1836 in London, England

Period

:

Classical

 

 

Romantic

Genre

:

Vocal

 

John Stafford Smith was a British composer, born on March 30, 1750, in Gloucester, England. He was the son of Martin Smith, a musician and organist, and Elizabeth Stafford, a singer. Smith grew up in a musical family and showed an early interest in music. He received his early education at the Gloucester Cathedral School, where he learned to play the organ and the violin. At the age of 14, Smith moved to London to study music under the tutelage of William Boyce, a prominent composer of the time. He also studied with Thomas Arne, another well-known composer, and organist John Stanley. Smith's talent as a composer was evident from an early age, and he began to compose music while still a student. In 1770, Smith was appointed as the organist at the Chapel Royal, St. James's Palace, a position he held for the next 25 years. During this time, he composed a number of works for the Chapel Royal, including anthems, hymns, and services. He also composed music for the coronation of King George III in 1761 and for the wedding of Prince William, Duke of Gloucester, in 1766. One of Smith's most famous works is the tune for the song "The Star-Spangled Banner," which he composed in 1773. The lyrics for the song were written by Francis Scott Key during the War of 1812, and it became the national anthem of the United States in 1931. Smith's tune for the song was originally called "To Anacreon in Heaven" and was written for the Anacreontic Society, a gentlemen's club in London. Smith's other notable works include the opera "The Fairies," which was first performed in 1778, and the oratorio "The Captivity of Judah," which was first performed in 1788. He also composed a number of instrumental works, including sonatas for the harpsichord and the organ. Smith was a prolific composer and wrote music in a variety of styles, including Baroque, Classical, and Romantic. His music was known for its elegance, grace, and lyricism, and he was considered one of the leading composers of his time. In addition to his work as a composer, Smith was also a musicologist and wrote several books on music theory and history. He was a member of the Royal Society of Musicians and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Music by the University of Oxford in 1793. Smith died on September 21, 1836, in London, at the age of 86. His legacy as a composer and musicologist continues to be celebrated today, and his tune for "The Star-Spangled Banner" remains one of the most recognizable and beloved pieces of music in the world.

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