Voluntary No. 12 in G Major

Starling Goodwin (1711-1774) was an 18th century musician based in London, England, who wrote music both for church use and public concerts. Surviving examples of his work include voluntaries for organ or harpsichord and a number of popular light entertainment songs.

His first known appointment as a musician was in 1738 when he became organist of the Church of St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey, in Southwark.

In 1750, he was appointed organist at the more prestigious Church of Saviour, Southwark (today Southwark Cathedral) and the same year he was conducting a series of public concerts with a musical society at the Lambeth Well pleasure gardens. He also remained organist at St Mary’s, Bermondsey, and at some point added the post of organist at St Mary’s Church, Newington-Butts.

In later years, as organist of three south London churches, and organist at the prestigious and fashionable Ranelagh Gardens pleasure park in Chelsea, he was probably assisted by his musician son, William, who in any case succeeded him in all his posts when he died.

Apart from his books of literature, we know that Starling also possessed books of music, for example, subscribing to the publication of Twelve Sonatas for Two Violins, with a bass for Violoncello or Harpsichord by William Boyce in 1747. He also became a member of The Royal Society of Musicians in 1752, listing his instrument as the organ.

Starling Goodwin died in 1774, probably at his house in Castle Street in the Park, Southwark.

A facsimile of the original score is attached below! This gives a nice "authentic feel" when playing, but you'll need to adapt to the old system of "placing the notes," which is quite different than our modern arrangement. Also, watch the CLEF CHANGE at the top of the last page! If you miss it, you'll wonder why it sounds so odd... ;-)

Drawings of St Mary Magdalen, Bermondsey and St. Mary, Newington-Butts are attached, as well as a photo of Southwark Cathedral.