William Croft

Short bio William Croft

Birthday: 1678 in Nether Ettington, Warwicks, England

Died: 1727 in Bath, Somerset, England

Genre: Classical

Period: Baroque

Full biography William Croft

William Croft (1678-1727) was an English composer and organist known for his contributions to church music. He began his music career as a choirboy at the Chapel Royal, where he was trained under the esteemed composer John Blow. In 1707, he was appointed as a composer to the Chapel Royal and in 1708 he became the Master of the Children, a position he held until his death.

Croft composed several anthems and other works for the church, some of which are still performed today. Some of his best known works include "O Clap Your Hands", "Awake Up, My Glory" and "I Heard a Voice from Heaven". He was also an accomplished instrumental composer, having written several pieces for violin and harpsichord.

In 1709, Croft was appointed as the organist of Westminster Abbey, a position he held until his death. During his time at Westminster Abbey, he composed a number of pieces, including a Burial Service which still remains popular in modern times.

Overall, William Croft was a highly influential composer and musician of his time, due to his considerable talent and contributions to English church music. His legacy is still felt today, and his works remain an important part of the musical canon.

Compositions featuring William Croft

#	Name	Duration	Genre	Year
1	Te Deum, for soloists, chorus & orchestra in D major	31:36 min	Choral	1709
2	O worship the King (Tune: Hanover, or Tally's)	3:23 min	Choral	1708
3	Sonata for 2 violins, Op. 3/4	5:23 min	Chamber Music	1704
4	Sonata for violin & harpsichord in G minor	6:04 min	Chamber Music	-
5	The Lord is a Sun and a Shield, anthem	8:12 min	Choral	-
6	The Church triumphant in thy love (Tune: Eatington)	1:18 min	Choral	-
7	Suite for harpsichord No 3 in C minor	7:11 min	Keyboard	-
8	Suite for harpsichord in G major	6:10 min	Keyboard	-
9	Suite for harpsichord in F major	3:41 min	Keyboard	-
10	Suite for harpsichord in D minor	10:41 min	Keyboard	-
11	Suite "Twin Rivals"	16:19 min	Orchestral	-
12	Sonata in G major	2:46 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
13	Thine arm, O Lord, in days of old, hymn (Old 137)	2:49 min	Choral	-
14	Sonata for violin & harpsichord in B minor	8:16 min	Chamber Music	-
15	Sonata for violin & harpsichord in A major	8:43 min	Chamber Music	-
16	Sonata for recorder & continuo	2:56 min	Chamber Music	-
17	Sonata for 4 violins & continuo	4:16 min	Chamber Music	-
18	Sing Praises unto the Lord, anthem for 4 voices & continuo (Musica Sacra, Vol. 2)	4:14 min	Choral	-
19	Sarabande and Ground, for keyboard	4:29 min	Keyboard	-
20	Voluntary for organ No. 8 in C major	1:52 min	Keyboard	-
21	Ye tuneful numbers, a song with symphony, for voice & continuo	10:03 min	Vocal Music	-
22	We will rejoice in thy salvation	4:56 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
23	We wait for thy loving kindness	7:58 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
24	We brought nothing into this world	2:54 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
25	Wat vlied' of bezwijk', for voice	2:51 min	Vocal Music	-
26	Voluntary XI for organ	4:07 min	Keyboard	-
27	Voluntary in A minor for Double Organ	5:52 min	Keyboard	-
28	Voluntary I in A for organ and trumpet	4:53 min	Keyboard	-
29	Voluntary for trumpets & organ	3:10 min	Chamber Music	-
30	Psalm 13 "Usque Quo, Domine?"	2:31 min	Choral	-
31	Voluntary for organ No. 5 in C major	2:18 min	Keyboard	-
32	Voluntary for organ in G minor	2:00 min	Keyboard	-
33	Voluntary for organ in G major	3:15 min	Keyboard	-
34	Voluntary for organ in D minor	3:39 min	Keyboard	-
35	Voluntary for organ in D	3:03 min	Keyboard	-
36	Voluntary for organ	2:48 min	Keyboard	-
37	Trumpet Tune III in D major	4:42 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
38	To thee our God we fly, hymn	3:44 min	Choral	-
39	God Is Gone Up with a Merry Noise	4:26 min	Choral	-
40	I know that my redeemer liveth	1:35 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
41	I heard a voice from heav'n	6:36 min	Vocal Music	-
42	I am the resurrection	7:41 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
43	How Severe is my Fate, song	3:07 min	Vocal Music	-
44	How Charming Is Beauty, song	2:33 min	Vocal Music	-
45	Hear my prayer	5:44 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
46	Happy are they, they that love God (Tune: Binchester)	2:25 min	Choral	-
47	Ground for harpsichord in C Minor, D 221	2:54 min	Keyboard	-
48	Greensleeves to a Ground	4:16 min	Chamber Music	-
49	I will sing unto the Lord	7:28 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
50	For rural and sincerer joys, symphony song for soprano, 2 violins, bass viol & harpsichord	7:42 min	Vocal Music	-
51	Chaconne for harpsichord in A minor	3:26 min	Keyboard	-
52	Celladon, cantata	4:33 min	Choral	-
53	Burial Service	12:15 min	Choral	-
54	Ayres in the comedy of "Courtship à la Mode"	13:51 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
55	Almand for keyboard in G	1:59 min	Keyboard	-
56	Airs in the Funeral (Grief a-la-Mode)	15:00 min	Orchestral	-
57	Ah How Sweet, mock song	1:44 min	Vocal Music	-
58	O Lord I will praise thee	14:13 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
59	A Hymn on Divine Musick	5:13 min	Vocal Music	-
60	Overture to "Courtship-a-la-Mode"	4:08 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
61	Overture in D major	6:57 min	Orchestral	-
62	Ode for the Peace of Utrecht, for 2 voices, chorus & orchestra ("With Noise of Cannon")	30:48 min	Choral	-
63	O Worship the King	3:09 min	Choral	-
64	O praise our great and glorious God (Tune: St. Matthew)	3:48 min	Choral	-
65	O Lord, grant the King a long life, anthem for 4 and 6 voices & continuo (Musica Sacra, Vol. 2)	4:35 min	Choral	-
66	O Lord rebuke me not	7:27 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
67	Rejoice in the Lord, O Ye Righteous (A Thanksgiving Anthem)	14:03 min	Choral	-
68	O Lord God of my salvation	6:10 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
69	O God Our Help in Ages Past (Tune: St. Anne)	2:48 min	Choral	-
70	My time, o ye Muses	2:53 min	Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
71	Musicus Apparatus Academicus		Miscellaneous (Classical)	-
72	Lost Is My Love, cantata	5:47 min	Choral	-
73	Lord of the worlds above, hymn		Choral	-
74	Keyboard Suites, BM add. 31467		Keyboard	-
75	Jubilate in D major	12:04 min	Choral	-

Albums featuring William Croft

#	Name album	Year	Music label
1	G. F. Handel, W. Croft, De Nederlandse Bachvereniging, Jos Van Veldhoven – Muziek Voor De Vrede Van Utrecht(CD, Stereo)	2013	Channel Classics
2	G.F. Handel and W. Croft, The Netherlands Bach Society, Jos Van Veldhoven – Music For The Peace Of Utrecht(SACD, Hybrid, Multichannel, Stereo, Album)	2010	Channel Classics
3	Select Anthems(CD, Album, Stereo)	2003	CRD Records
4	William Croft - Julian Rhodes – Complete Harpsichord Works - Vol. 2(CD, )	1999	Ismeron
5	William Croft : Colin Booth – Keyboard Music(CD, Album)	1999	Soundboard Records
6	William Croft, Choir Of St Paul's Cathedral, The Parley Of Instruments, John Scott (10) – William Croft At St Paul's(CD, Album)	1993	Hyperion
7	William Croft, Choir Of St Paul's Cathedral, The Parley Of Instruments, John Scott (10) – William Croft At St Paul's(CD, Album, Reissue)	1993	Helios
8	William Croft / Gottfried Finger - Musica Poetica, Sabine Kaipainen, Tuomas Kaipainen – Englische Blockflötenduette Des Barock(LP)	1987	PAN Verlag Vleugels
9	Allegri / Tallis / Palestrina / Croft / Blow, King's College Choir, Cambridge, Sir David Willcocks – Miserere / Spem In Alium / Stabat Mater / Magnificat / Burial Service / Coronation Anthems	1986	Argo (2)
10	Henry Purcell, Jeremiah Clarke, John Blow, William Croft, Pelham Humfrey, Concerto Vocale – Harmonia Sacra(LP, Album)	1982	Harmonia Mundi France
11	William Croft - Rogers Covey-Crump, Michael George (3), Kevin Smith (11), Stephen Varcoe – Music For Croft(LP)	1980	Music With The National Trust
12	William Croft, David Thomas (9), The Parley Of Instruments – Music by William Croft	1980	Meridian (2)
13	Blow, Croft, Purcell, Bradford Tracey – Englische Cembalomusik	1978	Deutsche Harmonia Mundi
14	Gabrieli, Frescobaldi, Telemann, Clarke, Croft, Purcell, Händel, New England Brass Ensemble, E. Power Biggs, Richard Burgin – Musik Für Orgel Und Bläser(2×LP, Stereo)	1975	CBS
15	William Croft (1678 - 1727)	1967	Oryx
16	Blow, Croft, Gibbons, Purcell, Whyte - The Choir Of Westminster Abbey, Douglas Guest, Simon Preston – Westminster Abbey's Famous Composers(LP, Mono)	1965	His Master's Voice
17	William Croft, The Choir Of King's College, Cambridge – The Burial Service	1962	Argo (2)
18	Ferdinand Conrad, Hugo Ruf, Johannes Koch, Gunhild Münch-Holland, Topham, Croft, Eccles, Valentine, Williams, Purcell, Parcham – Englische Blockflötensonaten(LP)	-	Musicaphon
19	Arne, Croft, Händel, Purcell – Englische Kantaten Und Sonaten Aus Dem 18. Jahrhundert(LP, Stereo)	-	Laudate
20	William Croft, The Choir Of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, David Skinner (4) – Burial Service & Anthems(CD, Album)	-	Obsidian