William Gardiner (15 March 1770, in Leicester – 16 November 1853) was an English composer who is best known for his hymns. He published two collections of his works: Sacred Melodies (1808) and Music and Friends (1838).[1] Gardiner's promotion of Ludwig van Beethoven led to the first performances of Beethoven's music in England in 1794.[2][3]

In his Music and Friends, Gardiner told the story of how the first work of Beethoven became known in Britain after arriving in a violin case of a priest fleeing the French Revolutionary army.[4]

Vegetarianism

Gardiner was a teetotaller and vegetarian.[5] He lived on a milk and vegetable diet for several years but gave it up after a life-changing experience.[5] Gardiner stated that on one occasion he was dining with a "Mr. Brooke" an eccentric who placed a beef-steak on the table.[5] He was offended that Gardiner refused to eat meat. Mr. Brooke put a horse pistol to Gardiner's head and declared he would shoot him if he did not eat the beef-steak. After this experience Gardiner gave up his vegetarian diet and resumed his former mode of living.[5]

Selected publications

References

  • Stephen, Leslie, ed. (1889). "Gardiner, William (1770-1853)" . Dictionary of National Biography. Vol. 20. London: Smith, Elder & Co.
  1. ↑ "William Gardiner at the Cyber Hymnal". Hymntime.com. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  2. ↑ The Harvard University Hymn Book' Page 493 0674026969 2007 English composer William Gardiner was a stocking manufacturer and amateur musician whose enthusiastic support for the works of Ludwig van Beethoven led to the first performances of Beethoven's music in England in 1794."
  3. ↑ Herbert B. Turner, William F. Biddle - Church hymns and tunes Page xvii 1909 - Guide to the Pilgrim Hymnal Page 8 "William Gardiner (1770-1853), musical amateur, composer, author, editor, was the son of a Leicester hosiery "
  4. ↑ Syer, Geoffrey (1987). "Beethoven and William Gardiner". The Musical Times. 128 (1731): 256–258. doi:10.2307/965101. JSTOR 965101.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Music and Friends". Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine. 8: 482. 1839.
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