Symphony No. 3

Description

William Boyce was born in London, and was baptised in September 1711. His first professional appointment was as organist at the Oxford Chapel in 1734, and he held a number of similar posts until his appointment as Master of the King’s Musick in 1757. He began composing in 1730, with many of his works premiered at the Three Choirs Festival where he was a regular conductor. He also supplied many songs for the Drury Lane Theatre, including his most famous song, Heart of Oak. As Master of the King’s Musick it was his job to write music for Royal Occasions. However he refused to write a new setting of Zadok the Priest for the coronation of George III, claiming Handel’s version was unsurpassable. As a result, Handel’s version has been used at every coronation since. By the year 1758 his deafness had become so profound that he retired to Kensington and devoted himself to editing the collection of church music that bears his name. He died in 1779 from gout, and is buried under the dome of St Pauls Cathedral. Boyce’s instrumental music was largely forgotten on his death until the 1930’s, when Constant Lambert began to bring them back into favour. This third symphony was written around 1750, and follows the standards of the time. The second movement reduces the texture to two parts with the first flute and alto flute together, and the second flute and bass flute taking the other line.