Voluntary II & Voluntary III

Thomas Roseingrave (1690 or 1691 – 23 June 1766), like his father Daniel Roseingrave, was an English-born Irish composer and organist.

He was born at Winchester, where his father Daniel Roseingrave was the Cathedral organist, but spent his early years in Dublin, studying music with his father (who, by then, was organist of both St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin and Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin. In 1707 he entered Trinity College but failed to complete his degree. In 1710 he was sent to Italy in order "to improve himself in the art of music". In Venice he met Scarlatti and was greatly impressed by his harpsichord playing.

Roseingrave composed several works in Italy including an anthem and a cantata. He returned to England in 1717. He was appointed organist of St George's, Hanover Square, in 1725. He became known as an accomplished improviser, especially of fugues. He had a great admiration for the music of Palestrina and was highly skilled at contrapuntal writing. According to Charles Burney he could play the most difficult music by sight.

In the 1730's he was at the height of his technique and skill. However, his successful career came to an end when he was denied permission to marry a young lady with whom he had become infatuated. Her father would not allow her to marry a musician. The disappointment affected Roseingrave psychologically; his behaviour reportedly became irrational at times, and he neglected his duties. Eventually he retired to Dublin in 1747.

His best compositions are his keyboard works which show surprisingly little influence of continental composers. They are at times highly chromatic, reflecting the dissonant approach of works by Purcell. They show irregular phrasing and form, suggesting that they may have arisen from freely extemporized performances for which he had been so famous.

The score, a painting of Roseingrave, and a drawing of St. George's, Hanover Square are attached below.

Performance notes are in the FIRST COMMENT.