Michael Wise
Michael Wise (1648–1687) was an English organist and composer. He sang as a child in the choir of the Chapel Royal and served as a countertenor in St George's Chapel, Windsor, from 1666 until, in 1668, he was appointed organist and choirmaster at Salisbury Cathedral. In 1676 he became a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and in the last year of his life was Master of the Children at St Paul's Cathedral.
During a violent struggle with a Salisbury night watchman following a domestic dispute, he sustained a blow to the head "which broke his skull, of the consequence whereof he died."
Music
As well as Service Settings, his compositions include anthems such as:[1]
- How are the mighty fallen
- Awake up, my glory
- The ways of Zion do mourn
- Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy
- Prepare ye the way of the Lord
- Awake, put on thy strength
A number of movements within the jubilant Prepare ye the way of the Lord were parodied by George Frederic Handel in the oratorio Messiah.
Wise also composed some catches and at least one once famous drinking song, Old Chiron.
He often composed for the unusual combination of a duet of bass and treble voices – for instance, in Old Chiron and The Ways of Zion do mourn.
References
- ↑ The New Church Anthem Book. Oxford University Press, 1992, p. 77
External links
- Free scores by Michael Wise in the Choral Public Domain Library (ChoralWiki)
- Wise, Michael
- Video recording of 'Blessed is he that considereth the poor and needy' sung by the Choir of Somerville College, Oxford
| Cultural offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Randall Jewett |
Almoner and Master of the Choristers of St Paul's Cathedral 1687 |
Succeeded by John Blow |