John Christopher Smith

Short bio John Christopher Smith

Birthday: 1712 in Ansbach, Germany

Died: 1795 in Bath, Somerset, England

Genre: Classical

Period: Classical

Full biography John Christopher Smith

John Christopher Smith was an English composer and keyboard player who was born in Ansbach , Germany in 1712 and died in Bath, England in 1795. He followed in his father's footsteps and became George Frideric Handel's secretary and amanuensis. Smith also assisted Handel in preparing many of his works for performance and publication, and he composed several operas himself.

Smith composed a total of 10 operas, including "The Fairies", "The Enchanted Island", and "The Grateful Fair". His compositions were well-regarded in his time and earned him a significant degree of fame. Smith's music was known for its striking melodies, rich harmonies, and skillful use of counterpoint. He was also an accomplished keyboard player, and is known to have performed at several concerts alongside Handel.

Although he is primarily known as an assistant to Handel, Smith's compositions are still celebrated today and are performed by orchestras and ensembles around the world. His contributions to the world of music and his collaboration with Handel has made him an important figure in the history of classical music.

Compositions featuring John Christopher Smith

#	Name	Duration	Genre	Year
1	Artaxerse, opera		Opera	1762
2	Tobit, oratorio (after Handel)	155:45 min	Choral	1761
3	The Enchanter, or Love and Magic, comic opera		Opera	1760
4	The Tempest, opera		Opera	1756
5	The Fairies, comic opera		Opera	1755
6	Full fathom five, song	3:32 min	Vocal Music	175?
7	You spotted snakes, song	2:33 min	Vocal Music	175?
8	While shepherds watched their flocks by night (Church Music Reformed. London, 1765)	3:08 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	17??
9	No more dams I'll make for fish	1:43 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
10	Paradise Lost, oratorio		Choral	-
11	Rebecca, oratorio		Choral	-
12	Suites of Lessons (6), for harpsichord, Op. 3	73:48 min	Keyboard	-
13	The Seasons, oratorio for soloists, chorus & orchestra	93:02 min	Choral	-

Albums featuring John Christopher Smith

#	Сover	Name album	Year	Music label
1		Georg Friedrich Händel, John Christopher Smith (2), Julian Perkins – Smith & Handel(CD, )	2015	Chaconne
2		John Christopher Smith (2) - Emma Kirkby, Tim Mead (2), Jan Kobow, Markus Simon (3), Barockorchester La Banda, Mitglieder Von London Baroque, Franconia Vocalis, Wolfgang Riedelbauch – Paradise Lost (Oratorio In III Acts)(2×CD, Album)	2008	Leico Records