Greatorex, Thomas
Greatorex, Thomas
Greatorex, Thomas, English organist, conductor, teacher, and composer; b. North Wingfield, Derby, Oct. 5, 1758; d. Hampton, July 18, 1831. His father was the organist Anthony Greatorex (1730-1814). He was a pupil of Benjamin Cooke in London (1772). After serving in the household of the Earl of Sandwich (1774-76), he sang at the Concerts of Antient Music in London (from 1776) and was organist at Carlisle Cathedral (1781-84). Following studies with Santorelli in Italy (1786-88), he returned to London and became a highly popular singing teacher. From 1793 until his death he was conductor of the Concerts of Antient Music, and he also conducted festivals throughout England. In 1819 he became organist at Westminster Abbey. In 1822 he helped to organize the Royal Academy of Music in London, where he was a prof. of organ and piano. He publ. the collection Parochial Psalmody (1825), A Selection of Tunes (1829), 12 Glees (1832), anthems, Psalms, and chants. His son, Henry Wellington Greatorex (b. Burton upon Trent, Dec. 24, 1813; d. Charleston, S.C., Sept. 10, 1858), was an organist and composer. He emigrated to the U.S. in 1836 and was a church organist in Hartford, Conn., N.Y, and Charleston. He publ. a Collection of Sacred Music (1851), which included hymn tunes by his grandfather and father, as well as 37 of his own.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire