William Christian Sellé

Dr William Christian Sellé
William Christian Sellé circa 1890
Background information
Born(1813-07-09)9 July 1813
Benhall, Suffolk, England
Died8 November 1898(1898-11-08) (aged 85)
Richmond, Surrey, England
GenresClassical, Romanticism
OccupationsMusician in Ordinary, Professor of Music
InstrumentsOrgan, Piano, Violin
Years activec. 1828 – 1886

William Christian Sellé (1813–1898) was a Victorian doctor of music, composer and for forty years Musician in Ordinary to Queen Victoria.

Biography

Early life

William Christian Sellé was born in Benhall, Suffolk in 1813. His parents were Elizabeth Underwood, from a farming family in Suffolk, and Christian Sellé (1781–1867), a musician who had left Hanover with Viotti, a celebrated violinist, to join the private band of the 15th Light Dragoons of Ernest Augustus Duke of Cumberland (1771 – 1851) who was then living at the royal residence in Kew and was forming a band of mainly German musicians.[1][2] Sellé was bilingual from an early age.

Sellé began his musical education at a young age. He was placed under the tutelage of another of the Duke of Cumberland's musicians, a Mr Platt. At fifteen he became a pupil of Cipriani Potter, at that time the principal of the Royal Academy of Music where he specialised in pianoforte. Early on, while he was under tutelage, Sellé demonstrated the ability to teach music and Potter trusted him enough to allow him to teach the other pupils. He was at the academy for about two years and then started a 70-year career as a teacher.[3] He was primarily a teacher of the piano and organ but was also a skilled violinist and owned a Stradivarius.[4]

Career

Sellé recalled in 1878 in a letter to The Times that he had befriended the young son of the Duke, Prince George of Cumberland (later George V of Hanover) (1819 – 1878) following a serious accident in 1828 that caused a temporary loss of sight.[5] He related that he was in constant attendance, providing support throughout the illness to Prince George who was his first royal pupil. Sellé composed a piece of music for the young prince. This was probably his first published piece. The Favorite Gallopade, with variations for the Piano Forte, a copy of which is held at The British Library.[6] In 1830 he wrote 'Les Festins de Kew' dedicated to Lady Quentin (probably Georgina Quentin, a mistress of George IV).[7]

Sellé married Selina Daniel in 1835. He spent the next years raising a family and developing his teaching career that included several members of the royal household. In 1845[8] he was appointed Organist of the Chapel Royal at Hampton Court Palace, a prestigious role that he held for some 40 years. There is a record of him requesting the formation of a permanent choir at Hampton Court in 1853, the same year that he helped organise a concert at Hampton Court in aid of the Crimean War Relief Fund. This took place in the Great Hall which was opened to the public for the first time.

Sellé was awarded a Lambeth Music Doctorate by Archbishop Sumner in 1857.[9] The 1850s[10] to the 1860s were his most prolific as a composer. The British Library archive has around forty published pieces by Sellé and Cambridge University Library has eleven.[11] The majority are from the middle decades of the century. They are relatively short pieces for the piano and organ. The piano compositions are light and easily accessible in style, essentially salon pieces. His work illustrates his love of the composers of the First Viennese School and places Sellé within the romantic tradition of English music.[6] The Era reviewing his Mazurka in 1850 described it as "an elgant piece of music, replete with taste and refinement."[12] In 1863 during a lecture he spoke in no uncertain terms about ‘the modern rubbish, which passes current for music.'[13] In 1874 he set the poem 'The Happiest Land' by Longfellow as a song which the Morning Post reviewed as "one of those effusions which excite wonder that it should have been written, and being written that it should have been printed, and being printed that it should ever be sung."[14] In 1886, he was commissioned by the Shelley Society to provide music for Hellas, a lyrical drama by Percy Bysshe Shelley.[15] This was performed in October 1894 with the actress Alma Murray in the lead role. The musical score came in for much artistic criticism[16][17][18] but remains Sellé's best known score and is still available and in print.[19]

Sellé's obituary mentions a love of Beethoven whom he refers to as ’his dear master’.[3] Sellé's inclination was to favour an establishment view of classical music reinforced by his known dislike of ‘modern music’.[3] Throughout his career as a teacher Sellé maintained a close musical relationship with many of his pupils. He played the organ at the marriage of his former pupil Princess Mary of Cambridge and was by the accounts that still exist a convivial, loquacious man with a string of anecdotes that made him exceptional company.[3] In later life he was to become a familiar character in his community with an affectation of wearing what was described as a 'sombrero'.[20] Sellé retired as organist at the Chapel Royal in 1886 at the age of seventy three.

A Liberal and supporter of Gladstone, Sellé was an active member of his community taking part in the issues of the day. He was a member of the Richmond Select Vestry (Parish Council) from 1853 until his death. He also stood unsuccessfully as a Liberal candidate when Richmond received its Charter of Incorporation. He made an unsuccessful attempt to bring about the opening of the Richmond Public Library for which he was a serving committee member.[20]

Personal life

Sellé married Selina Daniel (1816–1902) at Christ Church, Southwark, on 20 July 1835, setting up home in Kew; in 1841 they were living on Kew Green as part of the King of Hanover's entourage.[21] His wife was appointed the first wet nurse for Queen Victoria's first child.[22][23] By 1851 the family had moved to Richmond on Thames where he was to live for the remainder of his life. Their children were William Christian (1836–1840), Selina Elizabeth (1838–1840), Laura (1841–1932), Allegra (1842–1909), Emily Blanche (1844–1895), Julia (1847–1892), and Guarnerius (1849–1889).

He lived at Old Palace Terrace, Richmond Green, from about 1851-1892,[24] and then 3 Hermitage Road, Richmond.[25] He died of a heart attack whilst drinking at The Greyhound Hotel in Richmond on 8 November 1898.[20] He was buried in Richmond Old Burial Ground along with his daughter Emily Blanche and his wife Selina.[26]

At the time of his death he left a widow and two adult daughters. Laura married Harry Buxton Forman, a leading bibliographer, rare manuscripts editor and scholar of all things Shelley, in 1869 at St Matthias Church, Richmond. His son Guarnerius (so-named after the Italian violin makers Guarneri) married Jessie Button at St Mary's, Staines, in 1873; they lived in Twickenham and he worked at the Stock Exchange. Allegra married Benjamin Bull at Holy Trinity Twickenham, in 1865. Julia married Thomas Bull at St John the Evangelist, Penge, in 1865.

Bibliography

  • Hellas, A Lyrical Drama by Percy Bysshe Shelley, edited by H Buxton Forman, choruses by W C Sellé, Nabu Press (2010) ISBN 978-1-141-31797-4

References

  1. ^ The Anglo-German Family History Society, The Royal Hospital, Chelsea admission records 1851, Public Records Office
  2. ^ "Dr Selle Dead. He dies suddenly in the Greyhound Hotel". Richmond Herald. 12 November 1898. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive. It is with profoundest regret that we have to record this week the death of Dr. William Christian Selle, a well-known figure in Richmond life. The sad event occurred on Tuesday morning in the saloon bar of the Greyhound Hotel, and its suddenness, although it is not to be wondered at seeing that the aged Doctor had reached the ripe old age of 86, created a painful sensation in the town and among his host of friends. The deceased gentleman had been to Strawberry Hill in the morning to see someone about his violin and on returning to Richmond went into the Greyhound Hotel. He was then apparently in his usual spirits. The Doctor ordered some ginger brandy but before he could be served he sat down and suddenly expired. At the time there were two strangers in the bar, and medical aid was at once procured, and Dr. Boulter arrived only to find that the old gentleman had passed away. The police then appeared on the scene, and the body was conveyed to the mortuary to await the inquest. Dr. Boulter, however, who had attended the Doctor of late, was able to give a certificate, which the Coroner accepted, and therefore a public inquiry was not needed. Dr. Selle was, perhaps, one of the best-known of our older residents. He was, indeed, one of our Richmond characters; he was associated with the place. Ever active, even in his old age, he was frequently to be seen about the streets dressed as was his wont in a familiar "sombrero" hat which was characteristic of himself. For some years past increasing infirmities had told upon him, and latterly he had become very feeble, while his partial blindness made it difficult for him to get about. The deceased gentleman ever took an active part in local affairs, and in the Richmond Select Vestry was one of its most active members. It was in 1853, when he joined that body at the time the members were elected for life, a system that he always objected to, and which he endeavoured to do away with because he thought that when men represented the people, the people should have an opportunity of electing them year by year. He was an ardent debater, and took an interest in his work. He was one of the original members of the Water Supply Committee, and he heartily co-operated with Messrs. Gascoyne, Sims, and Carless, and those associated with those gentlemen, in establishing the present local supply. He was also a member of the Sewerage and Works Committee, and, in fact, he was associated with every work the Vestry had in hand up to 1890, when his membership ceased. When Richmond was granted its Charter of Incorporation, Dr. Selle was a candidate of the first election for the West Ward, but was not successful. At this time age was beginning to tell upon him, and since then he has not been heard of in local affairs except as an interested spectator. In politics he was a Liberal of the old school, true to his colours, and he never shrank from expressing his opinions fearlessly. As a believer in Mr. Gladstone, he had been heard to say that it was his wish to live as long as the great statesman, a wish that has been fulfilled. He was one of the foremost in any contest, and for many years was an active member of the Richmond Liberal Association. When the club was formed, with its head-quarters in Parkshot, he was frequently seen there when debates and discussions were on. Mr. Samuel Hoskins has kindly supplied us with the following interesting notes:- A striking Richmond character has just passed suddenly away— one of mark, not only as a musician, but as a man. Wilhelm Kristian Selle, Doctor of Music, and Musician in ordinary to Her Majesty the Queen, during the long period of forty years, was born in Suffolk in the year 1813, and was the son of John Kristian Selle who, while a bachelor, left Hanover with Viotti, the celebrated violinist, for the purpose of joining the private band of the Duke of Cumberland, who was then living at Kew, and was commencing to form a band of his own, consisting chiefly of Germans. Herr Selle's wife, the mother of Dr. Selle, was a Miss Underwood, the handsome and estimable daughter of a Suffolk farmer, and while the Doctor was an infant, his father joined the Duke's band and settled in Kew, and there be lived with his family until his death at the age of 87. He was earnest, energetic, and conscientious in his profession, and did moderately well, but was not gifted with genius, nor could he ever master the difficulties of the English tongue. At a very early age, Dr Selle received the rudiments of music from his father. Subsequently he was placed under a highly-talented man of the name of Platt, who, with Viotti, was a leading instrumentalist in the Duke's band. When about 16 he was placed under Cipriani Potter, at that time the Principal of the Royal Academy, to study the Pianoforte. Whilst under instruction he made sufficient by teaching the Violin to be able to pay his master's fees — fifteen shillings per lesson — out of his own pocket. So rapid was his progress, that in a short time he was engaged to assist the Principal in instructing his own pupils. After about two years at the Academy, he found himself fully occupied as a teacher on his own account, and continued an uninterrupted career of instruction over a space of nearly 70 years. At the early age of nineteen he married his girl wife, Miss Daniel, then only seventeen, and who now survives him. Mrs Selle, is one of the most accomplished and most charming of old ladies that one can meet with, clear-headed and bright-eyed, with the complexion of a woman of thirty. Crushing pecuniary losses, domestic disasters, and great physical suffering, have neither impaired her temper, her intellectual powers, nor her pious resignation to the will of Providence. Amidst all she remains a noble example of the cultured and dignified gentlewoman of the old school of virtuous womanhood. Half a century ago, Dr. Selle received the degree of Doctor of Music from the Archbishop of Canterbury, through Dr. Corfe of Christchurch, Oxford. His first most important appointment was that of organist to Her Majesty at Hampton Court Palace, and he held this post until his retirement on a pension, after 46 year's service. His first royal pupil was the late King of Hanover, for whom he wrote a composition, and with whom he was an intimate guest for several weeks at a time. His next royal appointment was that of master to the Princess Mary of Cambridge, late Duchess of Teck, and he was selected to play at Kew Church on the occasion of Her Royal Highness's marriage. He also taught other members of the Royal family, including His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, besides a large number of pupils from among the aristocracy and other ranks of society. Until his recent retirement from public life through failing sight and the feebleness of age, there were but few contemporaries of note in the literary and artistic world with whom he was not more or less well acquainted. Consequently, his store of anecdotes was inexhaustible, and this, with a powerful and ready memory, made him a delightful raconteur. Music was his passion, the violin his life study, and Beethoven, his "dear master." Nevertheless, he was a many-sided man, an ardent politician, a local administrator, a composer, lecturer, and author, and a most genial gossip. Above all, he had the honesty of his opinions, and dared avow them, whether orthodox or otherwise, and these were informed by a rare intelligence and wide reading. He was a Liberal before Liberalism became fashionable, and remained to the day of his death a sincere and rational worshipper of freedom in its most liberal interpretation. To the last he preserved his love of activity, his cheerfulness and serenity of disposition, and afforded the philosophic example of an old man, neither weary of life nor afraid of death. His four score years and six were manfully and usefully spent, but on Tuesday last, after journeying from Richmond to Twickenham and back, and feeling somewhat faint, be called in at the Greyhound Hotel for a glass of ginger brandy, and before he could drink it, he was suddenly smitten by death, and fell to the floor a corpse. He, and those who loved him, could have wished for no more fitting end. Requiescat! The doctor was also a good chess player, and was actively associated with the old local Chess Club, then a powerful society. At that time he met some prominent chess masters of the day, and was awarded a medal, which carried with it the Amateur Championship of England. He was also a keen angler, and was acquainted with some of the best fishing spots of the river. Dr Selle leaves behind him an aged widow and two married daughters. He had four daughters and one son, whose death, some few years ago, he greatly felt. One daughter married Mr. H.Buxton Forman, C.B, of the telegraphic department of the Post Office, while two others married gentlemen of the name of Bull, one the son of the then proprietor of the Castle Hotel and the other of the firm of Messrs. Ventom, Bull and Cooper, the well-known auctioneers. The funeral takes place at noon to-day at the Richmond Cemetery.
  3. ^ a b c d Obituary in the Richmond and Twickenham Times by Samuel Hoskin, 19 November 1898
  4. ^ "Our Musical Column". Blackburn Standard. 21 July 1900. p. 8.
  5. ^ Selle, W C (19 June 1878). "The ex-King of Hanover. To the editor of The Times". The Times. p. 10 – via The Times Digital Archive.
  6. ^ a b http://www.maryceleste.co.uk/famhist/selle/selle-print.htm, Information from The British Library listed in family archive.
  7. ^ "Fire-side lyrics - a new musical annual". Morning Herald (London). 4 January 1830. p. 1 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  8. ^ "Sellé's letter to the Lord Chamberlain in 1853 about the Hampton Court Chapel Choir". Retrieved 18 January 2022.
  9. ^ Correspondence in the Lambeth Palace Archives from 1857
  10. ^ "New Music. Mazurka Brillante Pour le Piano". The Era. 10 March 1850. p. 10.
  11. ^ University of Cambridge Library Musical Catalogue
  12. ^ "New Music". The Era. 10 March 1850 – via British Library Newspapers.
  13. ^ "Dr Selle's Piano Forte Recitations". Hiscoke and son's Richmond notes. No. 9. November 1863. p. 4.
  14. ^ "Recent Musical Publications". Morning Post. 13 October 1874. p. 7 – via British Library Newspapers.
  15. ^ Hellas: A lyrical drama by Percy Bysshe Shelley. The choruses set to music by William Christian Sellé, The Shelley Society, Spottiswoode 1886
  16. ^ Collins, John (1992). The Two Forgers: A Biography of Harry Buxton Forman and Thomas James Wise. New Castle, Delaware, USA: Oak Knoll Press. ISBN 0-938768-29-8
  17. ^ ""Hellas" at St. James's Hall". The Era. 20 November 1886. p. 15 – via British Newspaper Archive. "They have now laid a heavy hand upon Hellas, and last Tuesday evening at St. James's Hall showed how one of the most splendid lyric pieces in the language, full of noble imagery, deep philosophy, lofty aspirations, and intense human sympathy, can be converted at a blow into a fifteenth-rate oratorio, with all the soul-stirring choruses vulgarised by association with trivial tunes, and the majestic dialogue hashed and cut about to suit the exigencies of a musician's score." "If they can't let Hellas alone they ought, at least, to know that it is nothing short of sacrilege to wed such lofty verse to mediocre music. Indeed, there are some poems, and this we think is of them, that the musician, great or small, should reverently forbear to touch." "On the whole, one may say of Dr. Selle's music that it had plenty of melody, harmony of an antiquated tonic-and-dominantish kind, and a splendid disregard of appropriateness."
  18. ^ ""Hellas" by the Shelley Society". Daily News (London). 17 November 1886. p. 3 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  19. ^ Hellas, A Lyrical Drama by Percy Bysshe Shelley, edited by H Buxton Forman, choruses by W C Sellé, Nabu Press (2010) ISBN 978-1-141-31797-4
  20. ^ a b c Obituary in the Richmond Herald, 12 November 1898
  21. ^ 1841 Census, Ancestry, SRYHO107_1075_1076-0081
  22. ^ "Appointment of the Royal Nurse de Lait". Staffordshire Gazette and County Standard. 28 November 1840. p. 2.
  23. ^ Misztal, Mariusz (2020). The Victorian Royal Nursery, 1840-1865. Creation, Organisation, Staff, Financing. p. 202.
  24. ^ "Richmond Green properties: Brewers Lane to Paved Court (Greenside)". Local history notes. London Borough of Richmond upon Thames. 22 October 2020. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
  25. ^ Probate record 1898 probatesearch.service.gov.uk
  26. ^ Old Burial Ground Cemetery List (Excel Spreadsheet), Richmond Cemetery
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