Benjamin Carr

Background

Benjamin Carr was born in 1769 and brought up in England.

Education

Carr was taught by the most excellent church musicians, and became known as soloist in The Antient Concerts, a London enterprise.

He studied organ with Charles Wesley and composition with Samuel Arnold.

Career

In 1793 Carr emigrated, settling in Philadelphia. There he established the city's first music store, known as The Musical Repository. A branch in New York, with the same name, was sold a few years later. As composer, Carr soon became well known and deservedly popular. Some of his shorter pieces are in a manuscript collection of his, now in the New York Public Library.

His "Federal Overture" was widely known, and was given on several occasions beside that of the Norfolk concert of Oct. 7, 1796, managed by Graupner. His published works include: Masses, Vespers, and Litanies (1805), Lessons in Vocal Music (1811), A Collection of Chants (1816), and The Chorister (1820). Most ambitious among his compositions was the opera The Archers, produced in New York on Apr. 18, 1796, repeated there twice, and given twice in Boston. The libretto, by William Dunlap, treated the episode of William Tell; but it was weakened by the anachronism of introducing Winkelried's later sacrifice, and made trivial by the introduction of comic characters, such as the amazonian Rodolpha and the adventurous Conrad. Some effective monologues and striking contrasts gave the composer scope, but the words made the lyrics tame, and gave little chance for dramatic power in the music, though Dunlap praised the score. Only two numbers are now extant, a graceful solo entitled, "Why, Huntress, Why?" which deplores Rodolpha's courting of danger, and a dainty rondo from the overture. The work has been called (though wrongly) the first American opera. In 1794 Carr appeared in Arne's opera Love in a Village, and after that became prominent as a concert soloist, chiefly in Philadelphia. As organist he was at one time the incumbent of St. Joseph's Church, where Lafayette, Rochambeau, and other French officers attended service. Carr conducted at many concerts, often in conjunction with others, as was the fashion at that time. Soon after 1800 he edited a musical journal, and published some theoretical treatises. In 1816 he organized a practise society; and when this began to languish, he infused new vigor into it by changing it, in 1820, into the Musical Fund Society, designed to aid indigent musicians. With him on the committee were Cross (his pupil), Hupfield, and Patterson. For some years the directors' meetings were held at Carr's home, 7 Powell St. The opening concert, on April 24, 1821, included a glee, "Awake, 'olian Lyre, " by Danby, with "orchestra accompaniments" by Carr. Another number was Beethoven's "Grand Sinfonia in C. " Carr was one of the conductors of The Creation, given in 1822. Other society activities included an anonymous appearance of Malibran, in 1827.

One may praise his concert series also, as he included works of Handel, Haydn, Pleyel, Stamitz, Linley, etc. The society erected a monument to him in St. Peter's Church. His epitaph calls him "A distinguished professor of music charitable without ostentation, faithful and true in his friendships. "

Achievements

• Carr's best known orchestral work was the Federal Overture (1794), composed for theatrical audiences. He established The Musical Repository - the first music store in Philadelphia. He was also the editor and publisher of musical journals and treatises.

Works

More photos

• book

  • A Collection of Chants and Tunes for the Use of the Episcopal Churches, in the City of Philadelphia (Classic Reprint)

    (Excerpt from A Collection of Chants and Tunes for the Use...)

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• The society's later historian wrote, "Above all, the personality of Benjamin Carr stands out as one who, of all the early musicians of Philadelphia, wrought most vigorously to introduce the best, chiefly in the oratorio and in the church. "

References

• Early Concert-Life in America (1731-1800)