Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1814

Death

:

1863

 

Frederick William Faber was a British composer and hymn writer who lived from 1814 to 1863. He was born in Calverley, Yorkshire, England, on June 28, 1814, to a family of musicians. His father, Thomas Henry Faber, was a church organist and music teacher, and his mother, Priscilla, was a singer and pianist. Frederick showed an early talent for music and began composing at a young age. Faber received his early education at the grammar school in Calverley and later attended University College, Oxford, where he studied classics and theology. While at Oxford, he became interested in the Oxford Movement, a group of Anglican theologians who sought to revive the Catholic elements of the Church of England. This movement had a profound influence on Faber's religious beliefs and his music. After graduating from Oxford in 1836, Faber became a fellow of the college and was ordained as an Anglican priest. He served as a curate in several parishes before becoming the rector of Elton, Huntingdonshire, in 1843. During his time as a parish priest, Faber continued to compose music and write hymns. Faber's music was heavily influenced by the Oxford Movement and the Catholic Church. He wrote many hymns that reflected his belief in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist and the importance of the Virgin Mary in the Christian faith. Some of his most famous hymns include "Faith of Our Fathers," "Sweet Savior, Bless Us Ere We Go," and "There's a Wideness in God's Mercy." In addition to his hymns, Faber also composed several works of classical music. His most famous composition is his "Missa O Quam Gloriosum," a setting of the Mass for four voices and organ. This work is notable for its use of polyphony and its intricate harmonies. Faber also composed several other choral works, including "The Blessed Sacrament" and "The Rosary." Faber's music was well-received during his lifetime, and he was considered one of the leading composers of his time. His hymns were widely sung in Anglican and Catholic churches, and his choral works were performed by choirs throughout England. However, his music fell out of favor in the years following his death, and it is only in recent years that his work has been rediscovered and appreciated. Faber died on September 26, 1863, at the age of 49. He was buried in the churchyard of St. Wilfrid's Church in Cotton, Cambridgeshire, where he had served as rector for several years. Today, he is remembered as a talented composer and hymn writer who made a significant contribution to the music of the Anglican and Catholic churches.

More....