A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Phillips, William

by George Grove

PHILLIPS, William Lovell, born at Bristol Dec. 26, 1816; at an early age entered the cathedral choir of that city, and subsequently proceeded to London, where he sang as Master Phillips, the beauty of his voice attracting the approbation of Miss Stephens, afterwards Countess of Essex. He studied at the Royal Academy of Music, where he was a pupil of Cipriani Potter, and class-fellow of Sterndale Bennett, and eventually became Professor of Composition at that institution. From Robert Lindley he took lessons on the violoncello, and soon became a member of the orchestras of the Philharmonic, Antient Concerts, Her Majesty's, the Sacred Harmonic Society, etc., besides being regularly engaged at all the great Musical Festivals. He was at different times musical director of the Olympic and Princess's Theatres, composing the music for a variety of dramas. For many years he held the post of organist at St. Katherine's Church, Regent's Park, and at one time conducted a series of concerts at St. Martin's Hall. In addition to numerous songs he composed a Symphony in F minor, which was performed with great success at the concerts of the Royal Academy of Music, and of the Society of British Musicians. Prior to his fatal illness he was engaged on an opera founded on a Rosicrucian story, and a cantata on a Welsh subject. He also attained great proficiency on the pianoforte, playing at the concerts of the Royal Academy, his last public performance being the fifth concerto of Moscheles in C major. He died March 19, 1860, and was buried at the Highgate cemetery.

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