Alexander Reinagle

Full biography Alexander Reinagle

Alexander Robert Reinagle (1756-1809) was an English-born American composer , organist, and theater musician who made significant contributions to the American music scene between the late 18th and early 19th centuries. He was born in Portsmouth, England, and began his career there as a music teacher and composer.

In 1786, Reinagle moved to Philadelphia, where he quickly became a prominent figure in the city's musical community. He was one of the founding members of the Musical Fund Society of Philadelphia, one of the oldest extant examples of a philharmonic society in the United States. He also worked as an organist for several churches and was a frequent composer for the theater.

Reinagle was a prolific composer, producing a significant amount of vocal and instrumental music, including keyboard works, songs, and instrumental chamber music. He was particularly known for his keyboard music, and his sonatas were some of the earliest examples of this form to be composed by an American. Reinagle's music was often performed in public concerts, and he was especially popular with the emerging middle class, who could afford to attend these performances.

Despite his active musical career, Reinagle's personal life was troubled. He was married twice, and both marriages ended in divorce, leaving him with several children to support. He struggled with financial difficulties throughout his life and died in poverty in Baltimore in 1809.

In conclusion, Alexander Reinagle was an influential figure in the development of early American music. His music reflected the styles popular during his time and contributed to shaping the American musical identity. While his personal life often overshadowed his musical achievements, Reinagle's contributions to American music remain significant and noteworthy to this day.