The British Musical Biography

[E] Croft, William, composer and organist,.
born at Nether-Eatington, Warwick, 1678.
He studied under Dr. Blow, and was chorister
in the Chapel Royal. He was organist of St.
Anne's, Soho, London, from 1700 to 1711.
In 1700 he became a Gentleman of the Cliapel
Royal; in 1704 joint organist with Jeremiah
Clark ; and in 1707 sole organist, In 1708 he
was appointed master of the choristers and
composer to the Chapel Royal, also organist
of Westminster Abbey. He resigned his post
at St. Anne's to John Isham in 1711. Mus.
Doc, Oxon., 1713. Appointed tuner of the
regals, a Court office, 1716. Original member
of the Academy of Vocal Music, 1725. He
died at Bath, August 14, 1727, and was buried
in Westminster Abbey.

[W] Works. - Operas (incidental music to
plays)— Courtship a la mode, 1700; The Fu-
neral, 1702 ; Twin rivals, 1703 ; Lying lover,
1704. Divine Harmony, or a new collection
of select anthems used at H.M. Chapel Royal,
etc., 1712; Cathedral Music, or thirty select
anthems in score, consisting of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
6, 7, and 8 parts . . . London, 2 vols., 1724 ;
Musica Sacra, or select anthems in score . . .
1724. Numerous single anthems. Miscel-
laneous Odes for public occasions. Musicus
Apparatus Academicus, being a composition
of two odes, etc., 1713. Three Odes, for degree
of Mus. Doc, 1715 ; Six sets of tunes for two
violins and bass ; Six Sonatas for two flutes.
Six solos for the flute.

[+] Croft introduced the printing of music from
pewter plates, a practice which was generally
followed afterwards.

entry id: 106-R-54