John Marsh

1752 - 1828

In sharp contrast to Abbe Vogler, John Marsh spent most of his career in South East England. Born into the family of a gentleman in Netherseal, Derbyshire he trained as lawyer moving south to Dorking. From that point his furthest horizons took in Romsey, Salisbury and Canterbury before finally settling on Chichester where he spent the rest of his life.

He was probably the most prolific English composer of his time. His catalogue of compositions runs to more than 350 works, of which there are 39 symphonies.

Sadly of the 39, only the nine that Marsh had printed are known today. He did however produce a number of works for the organ, several sonatas and three overtures.

His work is well honed if not perhaps strikingly original. It is not dissimilar to William Boyce and shoe the influence in particular of Handel. Still there are worse influences to show in a piece of music.

His work has fallen from fashion and is rarely played today. But it is we suggest, well worth a listen nonetheless.