Unsung Composers

Henry Robert Gadsby  Born 15.12 1842 Hackney, London -  Died 11.11.1907 Putney, London

The eldest of three ¹, he was the son of a music teacher William Gadsby.  Henry married his wife Jessie in1864 and they had three children ².  Henry was principally self-taught in music though while at St Paul's Cathedral 1849-1858, where he was a chorister he was taught harmony by William Bayley.  He became organist at St. Peter's Church Brockley, Surrey until 1884.  From then he became Professor of Harmony at Queen's College, later holding the same post at The Guildhall School until his death.

Orchestral

Symphony in C major  1871
Symphony in A major
Symphony in D major 'Festival Symphony'  1888
Overture 'The Golden Legend'
Overture 'Andromeda' also for piano duet  1873
Overture 'The Witches Frolic'
'The Forest of Arden' suite pub.by Novello
'King and Empire'  orchestral march

Chamber

String quartet 1875
Andante and rondo for flute and piano

Piano

'Adela' mazurka  1871
'On the March' 
'Pegasus' morceau de bravure
'Song of the Muleteer'
'Vivien' idyll for piano pub. by Edwin Ashdown

Song

'Aim High' words by J J Dilley  1874
'Autumn Gold'  words by Frank Murray
'Harebells' words by Frank Murray
'For Evermore'
'Mine Own' words by Frank Murray
'Song of Welcome' words by W Grist
'The Girl I left behind'   words by H Gadsby
'Those little words, good bye'  words by Thomas Surflen  pub. by Edwin Ashdown
'Thoughts of Home'  words by H Young   pub. by Edwin Ashdown
'Passing Clouds'  words by Frank Murray
'The Soldier's Song'  words by Frank Murray
'Summer Winds' part song  words by Frank Murray
'The Sea is Calm'  part song  words by Frank Murray

Anthems

'Among the Gods'  pub. by Novello
'Blessed be the name of the Lord' pub. by Novello
'Except the Lord build the House'  pub. by Novello
'He is Risen'  Easter anthem  pub. by Novello
'I will go unto the Alter of God'  pub. by Novello
'I will lay me down in peace'  pub. by Novello
'Lo, the Winter is past'  pub. by Novello
'Not unto us O Lord'  pub. by Novello
'O Lord our Governor'  pub. by Novello
'The Lord is King'
'Sing, O Daughter of Zion'  Christmas anthem
'Ponder my words, O Lord'
'Rejoice greatly'

Church

Festival Service for eight voices in D
Te Deum, Benedictus and Kyrie Eleison in C major   1872
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis for four voices and organ  in D major
Morning and Evening service in C
Benedictus qui Venit and Angus Dei  1905  pub. by Novello
130th Psalm
Des Misereatur in F major

'Emanuel, God with us' carol  pub. by Novello


Cantatas

'Alice Brand' for soloists, chorus and orchestra words by Sir Walter Scott 1870
'Columbus' for male voices  words by W Grist 1881
'The Cyclops'  for tenor bass, male chorus and piano  1890
'Lord of the Isles' words by Frank Murray after Scott  pub. by Novello

'Benedictus Omnia' - opera set to music in chant form  pub. by Novello

'We arm, we arm no nation to defy'  choral march  words by T H Surflen

Ode  words by C E Maurice  1898  pub. by Novello

Organ

Organ concerto

Stage

Tasso's 'Aminta'  incidental music  1870
'Alcestis'  incidental music  1876
'Andromache'  1893

1.
Henry Robert Gadsby  1842-1907
William Gadsby  1847-1910  composed a few pieces.
Louise Gadsby 1852

2.
Jessie Ada Gadsby  1865-1939
Maud Elsie Gadsby 1875-1937
Kathleen Gadsby 1878-1952

Any idea where the scores of the symphonies are?

No, wish I did.  Perhaps a relative will appear in time. It is surprising how far this forum reaches when relatives are researching their families.

You probably know this already: the BL has the orchestral parts to the King and Empire March.

Trust me not to have searched the website! Thanks very much indeed!

Likewise.