A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Hart, Philip

by William H. Husk

HART, Philip (conjectured by Hawkins to be the son of James Hart), bass singer at York Minster until 1670, and thereafter to his death, May 8, 1718, a Gentleman of the Chapel Royal, and lay vicar of Westminster Abbey, was the composer of several songs published in 'Choice Ayres, Songs and Dialogues,' 1676–84; 'The Theater of Musick,' 1685–87; 'The Banquet of Musick,' 1688–92, and other collections of that period. Philip Hart was organist of St. Andrew Undershaft, and St. Michael, Cornhill. In 1703 he composed the music for Hughes's 'Ode in Praise of Musick,' performed at Stationers' Hall on St. Cecilia's day, 1703. On May 28, 1724, he was appointed the first organist of St. Dionis Backchurch, at a salary of 30l. In 1729 he published his music to 'The Morning Hymn from the Fifth Book of Milton's Paradise Lost.' He also published a Collection of Fugues for the Organ. Two anthems by him are included in the Tudway Collection (Harl. MS. 7341). From Hawkins's account of him (chap. 175) he appears to have been a sound and very conservative musician, and a highly respectable man. Sir John elsewhere mentions his excessive use of the shake in his organ playing. Hart died, at a very advanced age, In or about 1749.

[ W. H. H. ]