Thomas Augustine Geary was an Irish composer, pianist and organist, with a precocious talent particularly in vocal and piano writing.
Biography
Geary's original first name was Timothy; it is presumed that he chose "Thomas Augustine" as artist's names in admiration for Thomas Augustine Arne. He was a choirboy and choral scholar at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin, where he occasionally assisted the cathedral organist, Philip Cogan. In 1792, he performed a concerto by Dussek at a charity concert at the Rotunda, Dublin, at which one of his canzonets, Soft is the Zephyr's Breezy Wing, was also performed. According to W.H.G. Flood, Geary studied at Trinity College, Dublin, but there is no evidence for this claim. According to an 1818 source, "labouring under some depression of mind he rushed out of the house, and was found drowned in the canal". In Brian Boydell's opinion, "his premature death undoubtedly robbed Irish music of a sensitive and promising talent".
Music
Geary was the first Irish composer to systematically explore the form of popular airs or folktunes with variations, which were very much in demand at his time. He also excelled in vocal writing, impressing with remarkable maturity and sensitivity in word-setting and excellent piano accompaniments. Many of his songs and piano pieces were reprinted in London and the United States for decades after his early death.
Selected compositions
Vocal
The Forecastle-Sailor of the Guardian Frigate, Dublin: Hime
Ten Canzonets, Dublin: Edmund Lee
Six Canzonetts, London: J. Bland. Contains: The Silver Rain; Beauty Blooms on Ev'ry Thorn; Come, Gentle Zephyr; As t'Other Day; Go, Gentle Zephyr; Pity the Sorrows.
Geordie Jenkin, Dublin: McDonnell
Old Towler, quartet
Leven Water, a Scots Ballad, Dublin: B. Cooke
The Bonny Sailor, a Favourite New Scots Song. Dublin: Hime
The Bonny Sailor, with flute or guitar
The Thatch'd Cottage, a Favourite Pastoral, with flute or guitar, Dublin: Goughs
Free and Easy, Dublin: Francis Rhames
Soft is the Zephyr's Breezy Wing, duet, Dublin: Hime
Listen to the Voice of Love, glee for 4 voices, Dublin: McDonnell
The Glasses Sparkle on the Board, London: Goulding, Phipps & D'Almaine
Winsan Willy, an Admired Scots Ballad, Dublin: McDonnell
Henry to Laura, Dublin: Francis Rhames
Where Liffey Stream Meand'ring Flows, a Favourite Cantatina, Dublin: McDonnell
