A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Glover, William

GLOVER, William, was born in London in 1822. In 1829 he became a chorister of Trinity College, Cambridge, where he remained until 1838. He then became a pupil of Professor Walmisley, and in 1841 obtained the organistship of the newly erected Christ Church, Cambridge. This post he vacated in the next year on being appointed organist of St. Matthew's, Manchester. In 1846 he was chosen organist of St. Luke's, Cheetham, which appointment he still holds in conjunction with that at St. Matthew's. Glover attained to much distinction in the higher style of organ playing, and in April 1847, when Mendelssohn went to Manchester for the purpose of conducting a performance of his 'Elijah' there, he received a visit from the great composer (with whom he had formerly corresponded), who performed before a select audience on the organ at St. Luke's—a fine instrument by Hill on the German CC scale—being, in all probability, the last time he touched an organ in England. In 1847 Glover composed an oratorio entitled 'Jerusalem,' which was produced at the Manchester Mechanics Institution on Feb. 12, 1848. In 1850 he composed another called 'Emmanuel,' which was performed at the Free Trade Hall in 1851. He is also the composer of 'The Corsair,' a cantata, written in 1849 and published in 1856 but never performed, and of a third oratorio, quartets and quintets for stringed instruments, pianoforte trios, etc., all still in MS. In 1847 he published a collection of 'Psalm Tunes and Chants,' and 'The Complete Daily Service of the Church, as chanted at St. Matthew's, Manchester.' Glover established at St. Matthew's the first surpliced choir seen in Manchester except that of the cathedral. He has lately devoted much of his attention to mechanical inventions connected with weaving.

[ W. H. H. ]