What we know so far about John Hill:
John Hill started life in Lydd, Kent. His first known book of tunes,
- A New Book of Psalmody, was published for him by J Johnson in London between 1754 and 1761. GB-Lib: E.1385. T 166. According to Temperley HTI, this book contains 38 tunes, 8 anthems, 3 canons and 2 set pieces.
The range of dates is calculated following an analysis of the subscribers lists in this and later books, which show that the number of subscribers in the earliest book contained nearly as many from the Midlands as there were from Kent. This would indicate that he was probably building up his business in Warwickshire around that time, before finally moving northwards to continue his work as Psalmodist and itinerant Singing Master. He moved to Rugby, Warwickshire, where the rest of his music was written, although as before all published for him in London:
- Hill, John (of Rugby). Hill’s Church Music [No. 1]. London: J Bland, [c1786]. GB-Lcm: XI.D.1[part 1]. T 264. 14 tunes, 4 anthems, 1 set piece. There was a further reprint of this in 1792.
- Hill, John (of Rugby). Hill’s Church Music, Containing Psalm Tunes and Anthems, with Hymns for Christmas & Easter, Interspersed with proper Symphonies being a Specimen of a much larger Volume if it meets with the approbation of the Public. No [2]. London: J Bland, [1787]. GB-Lcm: XI.D.1.[part 2]. T 264. 16 tunes, 5 anthems, 1 canon, 1 set piece. There was also a reprint of this (with the above fullsome title) in 1792, one copy being in Warwick Record Office, its contents varying slightly from the first edition by one piece.
- Hill, John [of Rugby, Warwickshire]. [Hill’s Church Music, Continuation.] 1st year, in 4 numbers, each 8pp. London: J Bland. [1790]. GB-Lcm: XI.D.1[part 3.] T 264. 5 tunes, 4 anthems.
- Hill, John (of Rugby). Hill’s Church Music, [Continuation.] 2nd year, in 4 numbers, each 8pp. London: J Bland. [1791]. GB-Lbl: H.3117.[part 4.] T 264. 8 tunes, 4 anthems, 1 liturgical setting in prose, 1 set piece.
- Hill, John (of Rugby). Hill’s Church Music, [Continuation.] 3rd year, in 4 numbers, each 8pp. London: J Bland. [1792]. GB-Lbl: H.3117.[part 5.] T 264. 9 tunes, 4 anthems, 1 set piece.
Full details of these books and their musical content can be found in Nicholas Temperley’s Hymn Tune Index, published by OUP in 1998.
References within Temperley’s HTI, and used in these references:
GB-Lbl: British Library, London
GB-Lcm: Royal School of Church Music Library
Listen to examples of John Hill’s music (midi file):
- His setting of Psalm 133 “How vast must his advantage be . . .