William Turner (composer) facts for kids

This page is about the famous composer William Turner. If you are looking for other people named William Turner, please see William Turner (disambiguation page).

William Turner (born in Oxford in 1651; died in London on 13 January 1740) was a talented composer and singer. He lived during the Baroque period, which was a time when music was very grand and dramatic. He was a contemporary of other well-known English composers like Pelham Humfrey and Henry Purcell. William Turner lived much longer than they did.

Today, he is mostly remembered for writing about 40 verse anthems. These are special songs for church choirs. As a singer, he was a "Gentleman of the Chapel Royal" from 1669 until he died. This meant he sang for the King and Queen.

William Turner's Life Story

William Turner started his musical journey as a choir boy. First, he sang in the choir at Christ Church, Oxford. Later, he moved to London and became a choir boy at the Chapel Royal. This was a very important choir that sang for the royal family.

He even wrote an anthem with two other composers, John Blow and Pelham Humfrey. This special piece is known as the Club Anthem.

From Choir Boy to Countertenor

In 1666, William Turner's voice changed, as happens to boys when they grow up. He took three years away from the choir. But he returned in 1669 and continued to sing. He sang as a countertenor, which is a male singer who can sing very high notes. He sang in the Chapel Royal for an amazing 71 more years!

Besides singing, he also became a member of the King's Private Musick. This group performed music just for the King.

Other Important Roles

Beyond his work for the king, William Turner had other important jobs. He was a "vicar-choral" at St Paul's Cathedral. This meant he was a singer in the cathedral choir. Later, he also became a "lay vicar" in the choir of Westminster Abbey.

In 1696, he received a special honor. Cambridge University gave him a doctorate in music. After this, people often called him "Dr Turner."

William Turner's Music

Most of William Turner's music was created before the year 1700. Nearly all of his compositions were written for church services. However, he did write a few pieces for the theatre too.

He composed 40 anthems, which are like hymns for choirs. He also wrote three "service settings." These are musical pieces for different parts of a church service. Additionally, he wrote one motet, which is another type of choral song.

One of his most famous anthems is called God standeth in the congregation of Princes. This piece features a very dramatic solo part for a bass singer. The solo sings the powerful words, "God reigneth over the heathen."