Joseph Gibbs (composer) facts for kids
Joseph Gibbs (born December 23, 1698, in Dedham, Essex – died December 12, 1788) was an English composer. He lived a long life, almost reaching 90 years old.
Contents
Biography
Joseph Gibbs was not a very famous composer, but he was known in his time. He was born in Dedham, Essex. His parents were John and Judith Gibbs. He had an older brother named Edward.
Early Life and Career
Not much is known about Gibbs's early life until 1748. In that year, he became the organist at the Church of St. Mary-le-Tower in Ipswich. This was an important job. Also in 1748, his first music book was published. It was called Eight solos for violin with a thorough bass.
He only published one other known work after that. It was a collection of "six quartettos." This was during the remaining 40 years of his musical career.
The Gainsborough Portrait
In 1928, a painting of Joseph Gibbs was bought by the National Portrait Gallery. This made people interested in him again. The painting was done by Thomas Gainsborough. Gainsborough was a famous painter and a friend of Gibbs. He was also a big fan of music.
The painting shows Gibbs with two music books in the background. One is titled "Corelli" and the other "Geminiani." These were famous violin composers. This shows that Gibbs loved the violin. The music on the stand in the painting is from a sonata by Michael Festing. Gibbs was a supporter of Festing's work.
There is another painting at Christchurch Mansion. It is on a grandfather clock. This painting shows the Ipswich Music Club. Joseph Gibbs can be seen sitting at a table with a glass. The Music Club met at a place called the Ancient House.
Music and Community
Joseph Gibbs was a respected musician in his area. People often asked him to play for special events. For example, in 1749, he opened a new organ in Eye, Suffolk. After the organ opening, there was a concert. Then, there was a dance.
Ipswich was a busy and important town when Gibbs was organist. The Royal Scots Greys army regiment was stationed there. Gibbs likely met them through his music and social life. His violin sonatas even have parts that sound like Scottish songs.
Later Life and Legacy
Joseph Gibbs had a public funeral. The Scots Greys and the East Suffolk Militia bands played music. They played the Dead March from Saul. Their instruments were covered in black cloth.
His obituary said he was buried in front of the organ. This was at St. Mary-le-Tower Church. His gravestone has not been found since the church was rebuilt in the 1860s. However, there is a special message dedicated to him.
It says that Joseph Gibbs was the organist of the church for 40 years. He was a great composer and performer. He raised a large family. He lived a life of kindness and honesty. He died on December 12, 1788, at 89 years old.
Major works
- Eight solos for a violin with a thorough bass
- Six Quartettos
Discography
- The Eight Violin Sonatas: Portrait, Review & List of the pieces by Claudio Records
- Music Web Review by Jonathan Woolf
