Croft, William

views updated

Croft, William (b Nether Ettington, Warwicks., 1677 or 1678; d Bath, 1727). Eng. composer and organist. By 1700 had collab. with Blow and others in Ayres for the Harpsichord or Spinet. Org., St Anne, Soho, 1700–12. Joint org., Chapel Royal 1704, org. 1707, and master of the children and composer to Chapel Royal from 1708. Org., Westminster Abbey from 1708. D.Mus., Oxford Univ., 1713, submitting two odes for soloists, ch., and orch. Comp. many fine anthems and a Burial Service, also hpd. works, cantatas, vn. sonatas, and songs. Also wrote hymn-tune ‘St Anne’ to which is sung ‘O God, our Help in Ages Past’.

About this article

Croft, William

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article