Brad's Letters

10th May 1776 – 23rd February 1867

Sir George was an English musician, composer, and conductor.  He was a founding member of the Philharmonic Society in 1813.  In 1822 he was appointed joint-organist at the Chapel Royal and became composer there in 1838.  Sir George was also the musical director at Covent Garden.

Sir George met Beethoven and the two would write to each other.  In 1825 he conducted the British premier of Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony (which includes Ode to Joy).  He was also a close friend of the German composer Carl von Weber.  In 1826 von Weber was visiting Sir George when he died in his home of tuberculosis.

In 1830 Sir George conducted the choir at the funeral of King George IV.  The following year he conducted the music at the coronation of King William IV and again six years later for his burial service.

In 1838 Sir George conducted the music at the coronation of Queen Victoria.  Victoria’s coronation was considered to be somewhat of a poorly rehearsed, lacklustre event.  This included the music, with Sir George’s attempt at conducting the musicians whilst simultaneously playing the organ not helping matters.

Nevertheless, Sir George remained at the forefront of state music in England and as such directed the music for the opening of Prince Albert’s Great Exhibition at The Crystal Palace in 1851.

This letter was written on the 15^th April 1865, the same day that Abraham Lincoln was assassinated. The recipient, Dr Charles Steggall, was a composer of hymns.

15th April 1865
         12 Bedford Square W.6.
Dear Sir,
I am not yet sufficiently
strong to avail myself of your 
invitation to "Lincoln's Inn Chapel"
tomorrow, but I am not the less
obliged by your kind intentions.
I was much pleased to hear
my friend Mr T.H. Hall speak
in such praise of your choir and
particularly of the able manner
in which you preside at the organ.
             I am
To             yours most truly,
Dr Steggall       George T. Smart

7th December 2025