Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Harris, Joseph (d.1814)

1386710Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900, Volume 25 — Harris, Joseph (d.1814)1891Louisa M. Middleton

HARRIS, JOSEPH (d. 1814), organist and musical composer, whose parents resided at Birmingham, matriculated at Magdalen College, Oxford, 16 March 1773. He was organist of St. Martin's Church, Birmingham, in 1787, and died at Liverpool in 1814. His secular compositions include: Op. 1. Eight songs, arranged for solo voice with accompaniments of a string quartet and horns; Op. 2. Six harpsichord quartets and a quintet; Op. 3. Twelve songs for solo voice, and varying accompaniments of pianoforte and string and wind instruments. Handel's influence is very apparent in Harris's composition.

[Dict. of Musicians, 1827, p. 332; Foster's Alumni Oxon. ii. 613; Bunce's History of Old St. Martin's, Birmingham, p. 50; Harris's Songs.]

L. M. M.