James Nares (19 April 1715 – 10 February 1783) was an English composer of mostly sacred vocal works, though he also composed for the harpsichord and organ.

Life

Nares was born in Stanwell, although soon after his family moved to Oxfordshire. His brother was a justice, Sir George Nares.

He began his career as Deputy Organist of St. George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, and was later appointed Organist of York Minster in 1735. He married soon after that. before returning to the Chapel Royal in 1756 to become organist and composer to George III, succeeding Maurice Greene.

  • Six Fugues for Organ, 1772
  • Three Easy Harpsichord Lessons, 1778
  • A Treatise on Singing, 1778
  • The Royal Pastoral, 1778
  • Collection of Catches, Canons and Glees, 1778
  • Six Organ Fugues, 1778
  • Second Treatise on Singing, with a set of English duets, 1778
  • Twenty Anthems, 1778
  • A Morning and Evening Service and Six Anthems, 1788

Sources

  • James Nares. Il Principio or a Regular Introduction to playing on the Harpsichord or Organ, a Facsimile of the Original Edition of 1760 with Introduction Notes by Robin Langley, London, Oxford University Press, 1981.

Notes

References

Sources

  • James Nares at the Nares genealogy project
  • Hymn tunes composed by James Nares at Hymnary.org
  • Ingenious Jestings Julian Perkins (Avie Records, AV 2152). The world-première recording of James Nares's Eight Setts of Lessons for the Harpsichord (London, 1747).