William Smethergell, the composer of these overtures, was baptized in London in 1751 and came from a family that was not well-off; his father was a poultry dealer.
Composer Biography
Smethergell spent a large part of his musical career as an organist at All Hallows-by-the-Tower church and St Mary-at-Hill in London.
Performer Biography
The Southwest German Chamber Orchestra, founded in 1950, is one of the few full-time chamber orchestras, known for its exceptional homogeneity and flexibility of sound.
Composition History
The Six Overtures in Eight Parts, Op. V, were so successful that they were reissued in a new edition.
Performer Biography
Douglas Bostock, the British conductor, became the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the Southwest German Chamber Orchestra in the 2019-20 season.
Composition History
Smethergell's Six Overtures in Eight Parts, Op. V, were published in 1780 by John Preston and were performed in Vauxhall Gardens, a popular London pleasure garden.
Historical Context
By the mid-18th century, London's music dealers had publication series like 'The Periodical Overture' to meet the demand for orchestral works, often grouping six symphonies or overtures into a collective opus.
