Stephen Jarvis

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Life

Born: c1761

Died: 7 November 1834

Biography
Stephen Jarvis was a sail-maker in south Devon, and is known for one collection of psalmody, Twelve Psalm Tunes, and Eight Anthems. At the time of its publication, he was described on the title page as being resident in Dartmouth. The book can be dated to 1821 by a review in the New Music and the Drama section of The Monthly Magazine; or, British Register:

'Twelve Psalm Tunes and eight Anthems, in Score, figured for the Organ or Piano Forte. Composed by Stephen Jarvis, Dartmouth. 14s.
Though we cannot speak of the compositions here presented to us, in terms of unqualified praise, we feel justified in pronouncing them to be far from devoid of merit. In the psalm melodies we find some manifestations of fancy, as well as a suitable gravity of style; and if the bass is not always the best that might have been adopted, the harmony founded upon it is generally well constructed, though we cannot say that we meet with any of those artificial and ingenious dispositions which announce the great harmonist or master of superior contrivance. These remarks are equally applicable to the anthems, the solos of which, while they exhibit genuine specimens of church air, or melody, are somewhat deficient in that spirit and sweetness necessary to inspire a warm devotion; a blemish which is not compensated by the richness or variety of the harmonical construction. The impression, however, which we receive from our view of the whole of this publication, is not such as ought to give pain or discouragement to Mr. Jarvis as a composer of church music. The province in which he has here exercised his talents, is too intricate and difficult to involve in disgrace a moderate degree of success; and we hope that the only effect of these remarks will be to induce his further and more strenuous exertions in the same arduous walk of composition.'
pp361-362, The Monthly Magazine; or, British Register, 1 Nov 1821, No. 360 (or Part 4 of Vol. 52)

View the Wikipedia article on Stephen Jarvis.

List of choral works

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Publications

  • Twelve Psalm Tunes and Eight Anthems, London: for the Author by Goulding, D’Almaine, Potter & Co, [1821]

External links

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