Joseph Gibbs (composer)

Not much more has been traced of Gibbs until 1748, when he was appointed organist at the Church of St. Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich, and his first published work, Eight solos for violin with a thorough bass, also appeared.

The purchase of a Gainsborough in 1928 by the National Portrait Gallery created a renewed interest in Joseph Gibbs.

Apart from missing accidentals, the music on the stand is identical in layout and page number to a sonata by Michael Festing, Op 7 no.

This is on the case of the grandfather clock, assumedly of the convivial Music Club, amongst whom one can recognize Joseph Gibbs in sober grey, seated at a table with a glass in front of him.

Undoubtedly, with his active musical and social life, Gibbs was in contact with the Scots Greys and their music-making, for his Sonatas contain many references to Scottish song.

Joseph Gibbs was accorded a civic funeral and a band of the Scots Greys and East Suffolk Militia played the Dead March from Saul with their instruments draped in black crepe.