MR. W. H. WEBBE.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 234, 7 March 1885, Page 9

MR. W. H. WEBBE.

"William Henry Webbe, whose portrait we •give this week, is one of our well-known professors of music, and although only two years in the colony, has by his ability, energy, .and amiability attained a well-earned reputa.tion, and has probably a larger number o| pupils than any other teacher in Auckland, .'.and is deservedly popular. We believe he was the first professor who inaugurated classes .here for the study of the various branches' of theoretical subjects relating to music. The attendance to these classes in 1883 was very meagre, but they are now well attended, and include amongst the students several local lady teachers of music. Since his arrival he 'lias not only been an energetic teacher, but busy with his pen, as many of our readers are aware. Mr Webbe was born in London, Feb., .1856, and is the last direct descendant of the founder of the families of Webbes who -migrated to England from Flanders during the reign of Edward 1., about 1297, •and received the name of Webbe in consequence of his trade as a weaver. John Webbe, --of Oddestoke, was created baronet during the -tf-eign of Charles I. in consideration of his fighting in the. cause of the king against the ipeople. The last baronet, Sir Henry, who never married, was amongst the most ardent patrons of the opera, and was a musical critic of great ability. He died in 1874. Mr Webbe's grandfather, Henry (cousin to the baronet), would in all probability have succeeded to the •title had he not have met with a fatal accident •shortly after the death of his cousin. It is, Jiowever, not likely the title will again be a ? .sumed owing to the democratic proclivities oi .the subject of our sketch. As a curiosity, Mr ■Webbe has in his possession a volume containing the family history from the 14th •century to the present date. There have been several musicians of note in the family, including Samuel Webbe (1740-1816),. the .great English glee composer ; his son Samuel, -and his grandson Edgerton, who died in 1847. -Anne Webbe (afterwards Countess of New•fcurgh), who died 1861, aged 99, was an .ardent musician, as also was Annie Maria Webbe (1697-1723) — afterwards Countess -of Derwentwater — whose husband was decapitated on Tower Hill, 1716. .Amongst other celebrities in the family may be named the following : Sir William Webbe, .Lord Mayor of London, 1591 ; George Webbe (1568—1641), Bishop of Limerick. Archbishop Laud, who was beheaded at the mge of 72 (1644) on Tower Hill, was the son of Lucy Webbe, daughter of a clothworker of Heading. Daniel Webbe, who died in 1798, was an ingenious writer and a scholar. -John Webbe, born in 1611, was the co-author with Inigo Jones (his uncle) of the celebrated historical work concerning Stonehecge, which has been several times reprinted. There have also been in the family no less^ than _4 knights, 3 governors, 2 commanders-iu-chief, and a Lord High Treasurer. The father of Samuel Webbe, °vho died in 1816. was the Governor of Minorca. This Samuel Webbe was in .1774 organist (after having been deputy) at •cfche Royal Bavarian Chapel, London, and .-strange to say, the subject of our sketch was >deputy organist at the same church in 1874. IMr Webbe Avas the firsfc organist (since the re-opening) of the Chapel of St. Etheldreda, London, formerly the Bishop of Ely's palace jprior to'the Reformation, but which has been by the Roman Catholic Church. On the occasion of the solemn re-opening of this chapel by Cardinal Manning, he played a, march on the organ which he had composed especially for the occasion. At this chapel Jies the remains of Lady Webbe, of Southwark, who had been buried alive at the Fatal Vespers at that place m 1623. She wrote -several Catholic hymns and litanies. The ■new Guonod Choir of nearly 100 members, -which made its first appearance Dec, 1876, -owed its existence to Mr Webbe, who was its founder and first conductor. As a co-worker lie had the notorious Mrs Weldon. Several siew works were produced for the first time «,t his concerts in London, and the metropolitan press were unanimous in their praise of the mannerin which the choir had been trained. As a teacher Mr Webbe has been highly successful. Among his earlier pupils may 'be named three organists of ability, two of -whom are members of the College of Organists— one of them holding the position of of Folkestone Parish Church ; two wide-famed song composers, and more .than one known vocaiist, including Mdlle. "JEffie Clements, who has since studied at the {Royal Academy of Music, and who is at the present time highly popular in England, more than onejjploist owe their success tfo his caref ul JaHpg*' Mr Webbe has originated an ejßlpiiew system of teachdn<r the pianofflKpNvhich. he says he finds especially adapteaWor adults. As a writer He is known here, being a regular contributor to our contemporary, the Evening Telephone : his musical notes in the columns of that paper testify to his ability. In last .Saturday's issue of the Telephone there were two interesting musical articles — one by TKemenyi and the usual contribution by W.H.W. For nearly two years he contributed to a London musical publication, : and also to a country paper, for which he -supplied matter for the "Musical Gossip" . column. As a composer he is already well known here. . The following recent compositions, which have been performed in Auckland, have, in nearly every case, been well received by the public and favourably • noticed by the Press : Fantasia on American .air; "Old Folks at Home"; "Mazurka"; •"Galop Brilliante"; "Impromptu in C

Minor " ; and two songs — one, " I Sigh For Thee," and the other, "My Love, I Love You Best," the latter creating quite a furore on its production a few months since. Amongst his early compositions (we hslfve already named a inarch written for the opening of the Chapel of St. Etheldrida) were a Creed, a Salutaris, and several hymns and litanies, which have been sung at niany of the Catholic Churches in England. His first waltz was composed in 1875. We had almost omitted his last new waltz, which is published to-day, and which we have no doubt will have a large sale, for the melodies, which are mostly taken from his last new song "My Love," are .very striking. As an executant he has excelled. He is said, by nearly all those who have heard him, to play with much expression and feeling. He has appeared frequently in Auckland, so we have no occasion to add much on this point. In addition to holding concerts at the Opera House, Theatre Koyal, the Choral and other Halls, he has, during the last twelve months, given no less than seven pianoforte recitals to his pupils and their friends. These recitals have been fairly attended, and the Press have highly conxmended them. In 1875-76-77 Mr Webbe gave a series of concerts in London and the suburbs, to which he invariably contributed pianoforte solos, the rendering of which were favorably spoken of by the Press. As a proof of his popularity at that time (in 1877), a London musical journal devoted nearly a column to the subject of our sketch, in addition to a portrait which occupied its front page. On one occasion, when he. performed at St. George's Hall, London, 17 of the leading metropolitan papers, including two Court and four musical journals were eulogistic in their praise of his rendering of one of Beethoven's most difficult sonatas. We may here state that during the last 15 months Mr Webbe has given his services to as many as 13 benefits. The well-known Mr W. E. Wills, of Otahuhu, has just completed six new songs and ballads, all of which are now being set to music by our energetic professor, and in addition to local work Mr Webbe has recently been engaged by a leading London firm of music publishers to write for them regularly. Mr Webbe was not favoured in his youth with a highly musical education, but, like many more musicians of ability, the few lessons he received from, good masters have not been forgotten. He studied for a short time at the London Academy, and had assistance in his studies from the late Henry Blagrove and Dr. Wylde. In conlusion, we can only wish our indomitable professor a long- continued success, which he so well deserves.