Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hart, Charles (1797-1859)

1378526Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 25 — Hart, Charles (1797-1859)1891Louisa M. Middleton

HART, CHARLES (1797–1859), organist and musical composer, was born on 19 May 1797, and became a pupil of the Royal Academy of Music, under William Crotch [q. v.] He seems to have been successively organist of Essex Street Chapel, of St. Dunstan's, Stepney (1829-33), of Trinity Church, Mile End, and of St. George's Church, Beckenham. He died at 148 Bond Street, London, on 29 March 1859. Hart published: 1. 'Twenty-six Hymns,' oblong 4to, for the use of the congregation of Essex Street Chapel, 1820 (?) 2. 'Anthems,' dedicated to Crotch, 1830. 3. A' Jubilate' by him, with a 'Te Deum,' 1832, which gained the first of the yearly Gresham prizes (a gold medal) in December 1831. 4. An oratorio, 'Omnipotence'—first performed under his own direction at the Hanover Square Rooms on 2 April 1839, the composer conducting—published in pianoforte score; Mendelssohn was among the subscribers. 5. 'Sacred Harmony,' a collection of hymns set to the music of various composers, including some of his own, 1841 (?) 6. 'Congregational Singing,' with chants, 1843.

[Musical World, xi. 188, 216; Gent. Mag. 1832, pt. i. p. 545; Grove's Dict. of Music, i. 692; Hart's Music.]

L. M. M.