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W. T. Freemantle the composer

Freemantle portrait
Guide to the Freemantle Collection in the Leeds University Special Collections and the significant materials that can be found within.
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Charles Dibdin ms
Charles Dibdin's comic operas. Part of an exhibition at Leeds Special Collections about the collecting activities of W. T. Freemantle.
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Charles Dibdin's score for Datchet Mead
Charles Dibdin's one-man shows. Part of an exhibition at Leeds Special Collections about the collecting activities of W. T. Freemantle.
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Benjamin Cooke portrait
Dr. Benjamin Cooke protests at losing his post. Part of an exhibition at Leeds Special Collections about the collecting activities of W. T. Freemantle.
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Edward James Loder
E. J. Loder's musical setting of Manfred. Part of an exhibition at Leeds Special Collections about the collecting activities of W. T. Freemantle.
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Freemantle's 'Andante in E Flat'
W. T. Freemantle as a composer. Part of an exhibition at Leeds Special Collections about the collecting activities of W. T. Freemantle.
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Mendlessohn's 'Christe du Lamm Gottes'
Autograph score of Mendelssohn's 'Christe du Lamm Gottes'. Part of an exhibition at Leeds Special Collections about the collecting activities of W. T. Freemantle.
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Mozart's 'Allegro Brillante'
Mendelssohn's early compositional sketch 'Allegro Brillante'. Part of an exhibition at Leeds Special Collections about the collecting activities of W. T. Freemantle.
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Mendlessohn Bartholdy portrait
Mendelssohn's 'Elijah' and 'Auf Einer Gondel'. Part of an exhibition at Leeds Special Collections about the collecting activities of W. T. Freemantle.
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J. A. Symington portrait
John Alexander Symington and the Library of Congress. Part of an exhibition at Leeds Special Collections about the collecting activities of W. T. Freemantle.
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As well as being an organist, teacher and ardent collector, W. T. Freemantle also composed. He premiered two of his pieces at his debut organ recital in 1871, performing his 'Andante in Ab' and 'Andante in Eb'. Later in 1875, Freemantle published his first book of Kyries, including three of his own, although not all the reviews were positive.

Freemantle composed throughout his life, mainly church and choral works, but never received great critical or commercial acclaim. However, he contributed heavily to the musical life of Sheffield as a teacher, organist and musical director. His writing which has generated a lot of knowledge on local history, biography, geography and culture.