John Worgan facts for kids

John Worgan (born 1724, died 1790) was a talented organist and composer. He was known for playing the organ at Vauxhall Gardens, a famous public park in London during the mid-1700s where people went for entertainment.

His Life Story

Worgan was born in London in 1724. He was one of six children. His father, John Worgan, worked as a surveyor and had family roots in Wales.

John Worgan went to St John's College, Cambridge to study music. He earned his first music degree in 1748 and a higher degree (a doctorate) in 1775.

He was married three times. His first wife was Sarah Mackelcan, whom he married in 1753. They had nine children together. One of their sons, George Bouchier Worgan, became a naval surgeon. He sailed to Australia with the First Fleet, which was the first group of European settlers. Another daughter, Charlotte Sophia Worgan, married a man who later became the Master of the Queen's Music. John Worgan married his second wife, Eleanor Baston, in 1770. They had two children, including Thomas Danvers Worgan, who later studied music history. His third wife was Martha Cooke, a widow, whom he married in 1779.

John Worgan passed away at age 66 on August 24, 1790. He was buried on August 31. Charles Wesley, one of his favorite students, played the organ at his burial.

John Worgan's grandson, also named George Worgan, was also a musician. He was an organist and taught piano. He later moved to New Zealand, where he raised sheep and continued to teach music until he died at age 86.

A Master Organist

John Worgan learned to play the harpsichord and organ from his older brother, James. James Worgan was also a well-known organist and cello player at Vauxhall Gardens. John also studied with other famous musicians like Thomas Roseingrave and Francesco Geminiani. He really admired the music of Domenico Scarlatti.

John Worgan became a very skilled organist and held many important jobs. He took over from his brother James as the organist at St Andrew Undershaft in 1749. In 1751, he became the organist at Vauxhall Gardens. After his brother died in 1753, John also became the organist at St. Botolph, Aldgate. (His sister Mary became the organist at St Dunstan-in-the-East.) Later, in 1760, he became the organist at St. John's Chapel, Bedford Row. He also worked as a "composer" for Vauxhall Gardens for several years.

He also helped prepare music for other composers. Harriet Wainwright, a British composer, was one of his students.

John Worgan was one of the people who helped start the Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain, an important group for musicians.

His Music

John Worgan wrote many different kinds of music. He composed two long musical stories called oratorios: 'Hannah' (first performed in 1764) and 'Manasseh' (first performed in 1766). He also wrote a thanksgiving song called 'We will rejoice in Thy salvation' in 1759.

He wrote many songs for Vauxhall Gardens, and at least thirteen books of his songs were published. He also composed psalm tunes, glees (songs for several voices), organ music, and pieces for the harpsichord. Some of his original music papers are kept in the British Library.

You might have heard that John Worgan wrote the Easter hymn 'Christ the Lord Is Risen Today.' However, the tune for this hymn was actually published in 1708, which was sixteen years before Worgan was even born! So, he didn't compose that one.

What People Said About Him

Many people admired John Worgan's amazing talent as an organist. His performances always drew large crowds of both professional musicians and music lovers. Here are some things famous people said about him:

• The famous composer George Frideric Handel said: "Mr. Worgan shall sit by me; he plays my music very well at Vauxhall." This shows Handel thought highly of his playing.
• Richard Cecil, a clergyman, wrote that Worgan's music could really touch your heart. He said, "Dr. Worgan has so touched the organ at St. John's that I have been turning backward and forward over the prayer-book for the first lesson in Isaiah and wondered that I could not find Isaiah there!" This means Worgan's music was so moving, it made him forget where he was.
• Martin Madan, in a funny song, put Worgan's playing on the same level as Handel's, saying: "Let Handel or Worgan go thresh at the organ." This was a big compliment!
• The music historian Burney called him "a very masterly and learned fugueist on the organ." A "fugueist" is someone very skilled at playing complex musical pieces called fugues.

Recordings

• Complete Harpsichord Music, played by Julian Perkins and Timothy Roberts (Toccata Classics)
• Complete Organ Music, played by Timothy Roberts (Toccata Classics)