The New International Encyclopædia/Bridge, John Frederick

BRIDGE, Sir John Frederick (1844—). An English organist and composer, born at Oldbury (Worcestershire). He studied under John Hopkins and Sir John Goss, in 1865 was appointed organist of Trinity Church, Windsor, and in 1869 of Manchester Cathedral. From 1875 to 1882 he was deputy organist of Westminster Abbey, of which he was in the latter year appointed organist. He became successively professor of harmony in Owens College (Manchester) and professor of harmony and counterpoint at the Royal College of Music. His works include Mount Moriah (1874), an oratorio; two cantatas, Boadicea (1880) and Callirhoë (1888); a setting of Gladstone's Latin version of Toplady's “Rock of Ages,” for baritone solo, chorus, and orchestra; and many anthems, including one for the celebration of the Queen's jubilee at Westminster Abbey (1887).