A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Battishill, Jonathan

BATTISHILL, Jonathan, the son of Jonathan Battishill, a solicitor, and grandson of the Rev. Jonathan Battishill, rector of Sheepwash, Devon, was born in London in May 1738. In 1747 he became a chorister of St. Paul's Cathedral under William Savage, and on the breaking of his voice his articled pupil. On the expiration of his articles he officiated for Dr. Boyce at the organ of the Chapel Royal, and composed some songs for Sadler's Wells Theatre. Soon afterwards he was engaged to play the harpsichord at Covent Garden Theatre, an early result of which engagement was his marriage in 1763 to Miss Davies, a singing-actress at that theatre, and the original performer of Madge in 'Love in a Village.' On her marriage Mrs. Battishill retired from the exercise of her profession. In 1764 Battishill composed, in conjunction with Michael Arne, the music for the opera of 'Almena.' The piece, owing to the poverty of the dialogue, was soon withdrawn, but for proof that want of merit in the music had nothing to do with the withdrawal it is only necessary to refer to Battishill's songs 'Thus when young Ammon march'd along' and 'Poised in Heaven's eternal scale,' written to display the fine bass voice of Samuel Champness. In the same year Battishill composed the music for the pantomime 'The Rites of Hecate.' At a later period he abandoned the theatre and devoted his attention to the composition of church music, and produced several anthems (including that beautiful one 'Call to remembrance'), in which melody and skilful treatment of the parts are admirably combined. In 1771 he gained the Catch Club prize for his fine Anacreontic glee 'Come bind my hair.' About this time he was appointed organist of the united parishes of St. Clement, Eastcheap, and St. Martin, Orgar, and soon afterwards of Christ Church, Newgate Street. In 1775 [App. p.532 "1777"] he lost his wife, and her death so affected him that he desisted from composition, and devoted much of his time to his books, of which he had collected between six and seven thousand volumes, chiefly classical works. He died at Islington Dec. 10, 1801, aged sixty-three years, and was buried, pursuant to his dying wish, in St. Paul's Cathedral, near the grave of Dr. Boyce. Battishill published two collections of songs for three and four voices, and a collection of favourite songs sung at the public gardens and theatres. Several of his glees and catches are printed in Warren's and other collections. Four of his anthems are included in Page's 'Harmonia Sacra.' In 1804 Page edited 'Six Anthems and Ten Chants,' with a finely engraved portrait of the composer prefixed. In the same year Page also inserted in a collection of hymns twelve psalm tunes and an ode composed by Battishill. The popular song 'Kate of Aberdeen' was composed by Battishill for Ranelagh Gardens. Battishill's compositions are distinguished by an uncommon combination of energy and vigour with grace and elegance.

[ W. H. H. ]