Henry Gadsby

Henry Robert Gadsby was born on 15 December 1842 in Hackney (England). His earliest formal musical experiences began as a chorister at St Paul’s Cathedral in London from 1849 until 1858, a role that placed him among some of the most promising young musicians of his generation. During this time he received basic harmony instruction from the cathedral’s music staff, but his musical education beyond this was largely self-taught.
After completing his time as a cathedral chorister Henry Gadsby turned to teaching and performance. In 1863 he began offering piano lessons, establishing himself as a respected instructor in London. His students included some who would later have notable musical careers, among them the composers Frederick Corder and Hope Squire.
Alongside his teaching Henry Gadsby became an accomplished organist. He served at several London churches, including St. Ann’s Church in Blackfriars and Camden Church in Camberwell, and held a long tenure as organist at St. Peter’s Church in Brockley until 1884. 
Henry Gadsby’s contributions to musical education are among his most enduring legacies. In 1880 he became one of the original Professors of Harmony at the newly established Guildhall School of Music in London. In 1884 he succeeded John Hullah as Professor of Harmony at Queen's College, London, and Sir William Cusins as Professor of Pianoforte and Director of Musical Studies there in 1893. A member of the Philharmonic Society, and other musical societies, and a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists, Henry Gadsby was a well-known figure in the musical world. He also participated in important musical events, including performances celebrating Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. 
Henry Gadsby died on 11 November 1907 in Putney (England). 

The work catalogue of Henry Gadsby consist of 1 operetta (Christine), 3 symphonies, an organ concerto, a violin concerto and other orchestral music, a string quartet and only little other chamber music, numerous songs and a strong emphasis on church music with anthems, service music and cantatas.

Symphony No.1

In my possession is the autograph full score of the Symphony No.1 op.2 by Henry Gadsby. The work was composed in 1864 and - as indicated by the opus number - one of the earliest compositions by him. Nevertheless the work received an immediate performance and was premiered on 15 February 1865 by the orchestra of Musical Society of London under Alfred Mellon at a "trial concert" of the society. The reviews hailed the work, for example the cultural newspaper "The Reader" wrote about the complete concert with six different compositions on 18.02.1865:

"Mr. Gadsby's symphony produced decidedly the greatest effect. It will be surprising if the young composer of such a work does not take high rank among English musicians. His themes are singularly clear and melodious, and are treated in a frank, cheerful manner which at once wins the ear of the listener; a manner which, for description's sake, may be called rather Mozartian than Mendelssohnic."

And the Daily Telegraph & Courier wrote on 20 February 1865:

"One work in the above-quoted programme, however, exhibited so marked a superiority over all the rest, that we are justified in drawing special attention to it. The very favourable impression made by the symphony in C minor must have the effect of bringing into notice its young composer, Mr. Henry Gadsby, whose previous attempts, as far as we know, have been restricted to an overture performed at last year's trial, and a cantata given at one of Mr. Leslie's concerts. The high opinion formed of the symphony may be estimated by the significant fact that the audience, the most critical in London, actually manifested a desire to hear the scherzo repeated, so vividly was their fancy struck by its old English character. The conductor, however, recollecting that it was a" trial" performance, of course declined to accept the encore. Should the precedent of former years be fol- lowed, of repeating at one of the public concerts the most successful of the works " tried," the choice must certainly fall on Mr. Gadsby's symphony."