Thomas Attwood Walmisley

Come, Holy Ghost

A new engraving of Thomas Attwood's delightful miniature, Come Holy Ghost, this piece is suitable for Whitsundtide or for general use. Thomas Attwood (1765-1838) is perhaps best known as the composer of such charming miniatures as Come, Holy Ghost, which is in essence a simple, threeverse hymn. Its elegant melody, first sung by soprano, then by a chorus (or quartet and chorus) is reminiscent of Mozart's delicate masterpiece, Ave verum corpus. This is perhaps unsurprising - Attwood took composition lessons from Mozart in Vienna, and one of his contemporaries quotes Mozart as saying: 'He partakes more of my style than any scholar I ever had; and I predict, that he will prove a sound musician. ' Attwood worked closely with the royal family throughout his life. He taught music to the Prince of Wales, was appointed composer and eventually organist to the Chapel Royal, and organist at St Paul's Cathedral (he is buried under the organ there). He wrote the anthem I was glad for the coronation of King George IV.