William Babell facts for kids
William Babell (around 1690 – September 23, 1723) was an English musician and composer. He was especially good at arranging popular songs for the harpsichord. A harpsichord is a musical instrument similar to a piano, but it plucks the strings instead of hitting them.
William Babell's Life
William Babell learned music from his father, Charles Babel. His father played the bassoon in a famous theater orchestra. William also learned from other important musicians like Johann Christoph Pepusch and maybe even George Frideric Handel.
Babell played the violin for King George I. He also became a well-known harpsichord player starting in 1711. He often performed with other famous musicians of his time. From 1718 until he passed away, he was the organist at a church called All Hallows, Bread Street.
His Famous Arrangements
Babell became very famous for taking popular songs from operas and rewriting them for the harpsichord. These arrangements were published in many countries, including England, France, and Germany. His style was greatly influenced by his close connection to Handel.
One famous music historian, Charles Burney, thought Babell's arrangements were just for showing off. He said they let players sound great without much real musical skill. However, another historian, Sir John Hawkins, believed they were very successful. He said they made a book of lessons that few people could play as well as Babell himself.
Babell's most famous arrangement was of a song called 'Vo' far guerra' from Handel's opera Rinaldo. Handel himself used this song to show off his harpsichord skills. Babell created his version from memory, remembering how Handel improvised during performances.
Other Musical Works
Besides his arrangements, Babell also wrote his own music. He composed sonatas for violin or oboe and other instruments. He also wrote concertos, which are pieces for a solo instrument and an orchestra. Sadly, some of his works, like an Ode for St. Cecilia's day, are now lost.
Music experts believe his slow musical pieces give us a good look at how musicians added extra decorations and improvised in the early 1700s. His six Concertos, known as op. 3, were published in 1726, three years after he died. These concertos were written for violins and different types of recorders.
William Babell died young, in 1723, in Canonbury, Islington. He was buried in the same church where he was an organist, All Hallows Church, Bread Street.
What Music Did He Write?
William Babell created many musical works. Here are some of his published pieces:
- The 3rd Book of the Ladys Entertainment, or Banquet of Musick (1709): This book contained harpsichord arrangements.
- The 4th Book of the Ladys Entertainment (1716): More harpsichord arrangements.
- Suits of the Most Celebrated Lessons (1717): This included harpsichord arrangements of Handel's music and some of Babell's own original pieces.
- The Harpsichord Master Improved … with a Choice Collection of Newest and Most Air'y Lessons (1718): A collection of new and popular lessons.
- Trios de diefferents autheurs choises & mis en ordre par Mr Babel (1720): Harpsichord arrangements by different composers, put together by Babell.
- XII Solos … with Proper Graces Adapted to Each Adagio, book 1 (around 1725): Solos for violin or oboe with harpsichord.
- XII Solos … with Proper Graces Adapted to Each Adagio, book 2: More solos for violin, oboe, or flute with harpsichord.
- Concertos in 7 Parts for violins and small flute, or sixth flute, op. 3 (around 1726): Concertos for different instruments.
- Mariana's Charms Wound my Heart.: A new song for the spinnet (another keyboard instrument).
- Would You I the Thing Discover.: A song for a play called 'Tis well if it Takes (around 1720).
He also left behind some music that was never published, including:
- An Overture in A major for violins, cello, orchestra, and harpsichord.
- A collection of original and arranged harpsichord music written in Babell's own handwriting. This included arrangements of Handel's music and his own original pieces.
