Henry John Gauntlett
1805 - 1876
Biography
Henry John Gauntlett (1805–1876) was an English organist, composer, hymn-tune writer, and organ reformer. Born in Wellington, Shropshire, he became organist at his father's church in Olney while still a child. Although he trained for and practiced law, he eventually left the legal profession to devote himself fully to music, serving as organist at several London churches.
Gauntlett became an important figure in nineteenth-century British organ culture. He advised the organ builder William Hill, worked on improvements to pedal compass and organ action, and was chosen by Felix Mendelssohn to play the organ part at the first performance of Elijah in Birmingham in 1846. He composed a very large number of hymn tunes and sacred pieces; IRBY, associated with Once in Royal David's City, is among the best known. His tune ST. ALBINUS, composed in 1852, was later used with Brian Wren's Transfiguration text in twentieth-century hymnals.
Gauntlett became an important figure in nineteenth-century British organ culture. He advised the organ builder William Hill, worked on improvements to pedal compass and organ action, and was chosen by Felix Mendelssohn to play the organ part at the first performance of Elijah in Birmingham in 1846. He composed a very large number of hymn tunes and sacred pieces; IRBY, associated with Once in Royal David's City, is among the best known. His tune ST. ALBINUS, composed in 1852, was later used with Brian Wren's Transfiguration text in twentieth-century hymnals.
Hymns by Henry John Gauntlett
Child of Blessing, Child of Promise
Role: Composer
Christ, upon the Mountain Peak
Role: Composer
Give to the Winds Thy Fears
Role: Composer
Once in Royal David's City
Role: Composer