A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Wylde, Henry

by Alexis Chitty

WYLDE, Henry, conductor and composer, born in Hertfordshire, 1822: though intended for Holy Orders, had so strong a bent for music, that he was placed at sixteen under Moscheles, and in 1843 became a student at the Royal Academy under Cipriani Potter, of which he afterwards was appointed one of the Professors of Harmony. In 1850 he obtained the degree of Mus. Doc. of Cambridge University. He acted as Juror in the Musical Instrument Section in the International Exhibitions of 1851 and 1862, and in 1863 was elected Professor of Music at Gresham College, London. In 1852 the New Philharmonic Society was founded by Sir Charles Fox, and others, on the advice of Dr. Wylde. [See New Philharmonic Society, vol. ii. p. 452.] In 1858 he assumed the sole responsibility of the undertaking and conducted its annual series of concerts till 1879. Dr. Wylde founded the London Academy of Music, and built St. George's Hall, Langham Place, for its purposes, which was opened in the summer of 1867. The London Academy has since opened branch establishments at South Kensington and Brighton. Dr. Wylde's musical compositions include a setting of Milton's Paradise Lost for solos, chorus and orchestra, performed by the New Philharmonic Society, May 11, 1853, and May 1, 1854; and a Cantata 'Prayer and Praise' for the same; selection performed, June 9, 1852; Pianoforte Concerto in F minor performed April 14, 1852; Pianoforte Sonatas; a 'Rhapsodie for piano' (op. 2); Fantasia sur un air favori (op. 6); English songs from Goethe and Schiller; English songs, 'The Sea Nymphs,' vocal duet, etc. Dr. Wylde is also the author of 'The Science of Music,' 'Modern Counterpoint,' 'Music in its Art Mysteries.' Mr. John Francis Barnett, the composer, and teacher of piano at the Royal College of Music, was a pupil of Dr. Wylde's.

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