Before the 19th century, Church of England services typically featured a 'First Voluntary' between psalms and the first lesson, and a 'Second Voluntary' (introduction and fugue) at the end of the service.
Composition History
Voluntaries, in their classical meaning, were extemporaneously produced pieces, as opposed to compositions written down on paper.
Composer Biography
At age eleven, John Stanley was appointed organist at All Hallows, Bread Street, succeeding William Babell, a former pupil of Handel.
Composer Biography
John Stanley's sister-in-law, Ann, served as his amanuensis, writing down all of his compositions and playing new oratorios for him to memorize.
Composer Biography
John Stanley became the youngest person ever to obtain a BMus degree at Oxford University at the age of seventeen.
Composer Biography
John Stanley, the composer, was almost blind from the age of two, though he could still distinguish colors and possibly some shapes.
Composer Biography
George Frideric Handel, a renowned composer, regularly visited the Temple Church to hear John Stanley's brilliant organ and harpsichord playing.
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