Voluntary No. 6 in F

William Russell (6 October 1777 – 21 November 1813) was an English organist and composer.

He was the son of William Russell, an organ-builder, and was born in London on 6 October 1777. From age seven Russell was taught by the organists William Cope, William Shrubsole, and John Groombridge. Between 1789 and 1793 he was deputy to his father, who was organist to St. Mary's, Aldermanbury.

In 1793 Russell was appointed organist to the Great Queen Street chapel; cathedral services were performed there until 1798, when the chapel became a Wesleyan meeting-house. On 2 September 1798 he was elected organist at St. Anne's, Limehouse. In 1801 he was elected to a similar post at the Foundling Hospital. About the same time he resumed musical studies under Samuel Arnold.

In 1808 he graduated Mus. Bac. at Oxford. He died on 21 November 1813 at Cobham Row, Coldbath Fields, in Clerkenwell

Russell's organ voluntaries were in suite form. He published Twelve Voluntaries for the Organ or Pianoforte (1807?), and a Second Book (1812). Job was an oratorio adaptation for organ or pianoforte, from Samuel Wesley, issued in 1826. He also composed music to Christopher Smart's Ode on St. Cecilia's Day (1800) and the Redemption of Israel, both of which were probably performed by the Cecilian Society, of which he was a member. A volume of psalms, hymns, and anthems was compiled by him for the Foundling Chapel in 1809.

The ornaments in this work are "tricky" and will require some planning. The registration is for "French Horn or Diapasons," and carries on the "tradition" that these "hunting-horn voluntaries" all seem to be in the key of F major!

The opening section, marked "Full Swell," is a very different sound than what we think of as an English full swell. In this performance, I used stops at 8' & 4', including the Oboe.

The score is attached below, as well as two photos of the splendid church of St. Anne's, Limehouse, where Russell served as organist.