What we know so far about Capel Bond:
Capel Bond was an English composer and organist at two churches in Coventry. Baptised on December 14th 1730 in Gloucester, he was the son of a bookseller, William Bond, and was probably taught music at the Crypt School in Gloucester by his uncle, the Rev’d Daniel Bond. From the age of 12 he was apprenticed to the organist, Martin Smith, at Gloucester Cathedral.
He moved to Coventry in 1749, where, at the age of 19, he held the position of organist at St. Michael and All Angel’s. This he did for three years, and then also became organist at Holy Trinity in 1752, this being the largest Anglican parish church in England, and which later became Coventry Cathedral. He held both these posts until his death in 1790
He married a girl called Anne Spooner, whose parents were Abraham Spooner and Anne Birch. [See the Spooner family tree at http://www.spoonergen.com/trees/uk-thomas/resg05.htm#28 ]
He composed concerti grossi, concertos for trumpet and bassoon, and anthems, and organised many concerts both in Coventry and the midlands generally. In Coventry he organised subscription concerts and expanded the local musical society by introducing instruments for the accompaniment of the singers. He conducted Messiah and Samson at one of his music festivals, and was also responsible for the founding of a music festival in Birmingham, conducting its first one in 1768.
His publications include:
- Six Concertos in Seven Parts, London, 1766, which ran to two editions, and
- Six Anthems in Score, London, 1769, which ran to six.
“Subscriptions for the latter included the composer John Valentine, Handel’s librettist Charles Jennens (who requested six sets) and many musical societies from all over the country. Both sets of music went on sale in London and Coventry. The first concerto, with solo trumpet, probably dates back to 1754 and was performed by “Mr. Adcock, the first trumpet of the Vauxhall Gardens London” in that year and also at the 1768 Birmingham festival.”
[This, and other quotes, are taken directly from http://www.rslade.co.uk/bond/index.html , for which I am greatly indebted]
He was an eminent musician, an indulgent husband, and stealy in his friendships. Exemplary in the constant practise of his Christian and social duties, he died on 14 February 1790, at Binley, a village then just outside Coventry.
[Taken from: http://www.classical-composers.org/] See also entry in new edition of Groves.
In recognition of his ‘superior merit and regular attendance’ as organist at Holy Trinity in 1770 he was awarded a £10 per annum increase to his £30 annual salary. It was about this time that, presumably due to some deterioration in health, his musical activities lessened and he made his will. However, he survived another nine years and died on 14th February 1790. He was buried at St. Bartholomew’s Church, Binley, Coventry – his tombstone reads:
H[ic] J[acet]
CAPEL BOND
40 years organist of the Churches
of St Michael and Holy Trinity in
COVENTRY
He [wa]s an eminent musician
[and] indulgent husband
[an]d steady in his friendships
[exempl]ary in the constant practice
[of his Ch]ristian and social duties
he died February 14th 1790
aged 59.
Binley is a village near Coventry, now just inside the A46 ring-road on the west side of the City.