- Genre: Easy Listening
Though Smith would probably be remembered for his
composition of "To Anacreon in Heaven," which became the melody for the "Star Spangled Banner," in music, composition was by far not his strong suit. After studying music with Boyce in London, becoming a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal in 1784, organist for the Chapel Royal in 1802 and Master of the Children in 1805, one would expect a musician's career to have reached its full culmination. In fact, by this time Smith had already composed a number of glees for which he was quite renowned, produced a madrigal in the old style and composed approximately twenty anthems. Even these works, however, would not grant him the accord which he is due. John Stafford Smith is considered to be the first English antiquarian and musicologist in the strictest sense of the terms. He began with his "A Collection of English Songs" in 1779. But this is not all that his library contained in the end. Smith's library included the Old Hall Manuscript as well as a copy of "Ulm Gesangbuch" from 1538. The collection contained works that dated back to the twelfth century including some Gregorian chants and, in this, his "Musica Antiqua," musical scores included works by Obrecht, Willaert, Clemens and Morales with historical notes on each piece. ~ Keith Johnson, All Music Guide