Leslie, Henry David

1822-1896

An English composer and conductor; born in London, where he began his musical studies under Charles Lucas. He played the cello for several years at the Sacred Harmonic Society and elsewhere. In 1847 the Amateur Musical Society was formed and he was appointed honorary secretary, in 1855 becoming its conductor. The society dissolved in 1861. The famous Leslie Choir was established by a M. Joseph Heming in 1853, but Leslie became its conductor in 1855. In 1863 he was appointed conductor of the Herefordshire Philharmonic Society, and the next year became principal of the National College of Music. The last named was given up in a few years, not receiving sufficient support. The Guild of Amateur Musicians was formed in 1874, and he became its director and conductor. He died at Llansaintfraid, near Oswestry. The first of his works to be published was a Te Deum and Jubilate in D, 1846. The next year appeared a symphony in F, followed later by a festival anthem, Let God Arise, for solo voices, chorus and orchestra; an overture, The Templar; the oratorios, Immanuel and Judith; an operetta, Romance or Bold Dick Turpin; the cantatas, Holyrood, and The Daughter of the Isles; and an opera, Ida. He also composed much instrumental chamber-music, anthems, songs, piano-pieces, many madrigals, and motets.