John Varley Roberts and Religious Musical Life in Nineteenth-Century Britain

David Baker is author of The Organ (1991), Hymns and Hymn Singing: A Popular Guide (1993), The Organs of Wymondham Abbey (1996) and has published articles in the Journal of the Royal College of Organists, The Organ, Musical Times and Chelys: Journal of the Viola da Gamba Society. Baker has also written numerous books on information management and librarianship.

• List of illustrationsPrefaceAcknowledgementsList of abbreviations1 ‘Surrounded by Music from the First‘: Early life, education, career2 ‘A most singular man’: First years at Halifax3 ‘Such a state of perfection’: A cathedral choir4 ‘Indefatigable thoroughness and tenacity of purpose’: Move to Magdalen5 ‘Og, King of Basan’: Roberts as Informator Choristarum 6 ‘Splendid service to the cause of music’: In the university7 ‘All the rest’s humbug’: Choir trainer of the highest rank 8 ‘Rare discrimination and taste’: Roberts the organist9 ‘Sung in almost every Cathedral in England’: Roberts the composer10 ‘The end of an era’: Later years, death, legacyAppendix A1 List of compositions and other works by John Varley RobertsAppendix A2 Some principal singers at Halifax Parish Church Appendix A3 Some of Roberts’ organ students Appendix A4 Testimonial writers for the Edinburgh application Appendix A5 Organ ‘openings’ by RobertsBibliographyIndex