William Thomas Best

William Thomas Best was an English organist and composer.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article on William Thomas Best.

From the period sources

William Thomas Best was a celebrated English organist, regarded by his compatriots as the foremost in England during his time, around the age of fifty (Biographie universelle des musiciens, 1880). He held prestigious positions as titular organist for major concert organs across the kingdom, including the Royal Albert Hall in London, St. George’s Hall in Liverpool, and the new hall in Sheffield, and was also believed to have been an organist at a significant church in Birmingham. While acknowledged as a performer of great mechanical skill and a practical composer, with considerable learning, a contemporary French critic in the Biographie universelle des musiciens (1880) judged his talent to be “sans charme et qui n’est pas échauffé par l’inspiration,” and considered him inferior to several colleagues, notably the blind artist Henry Smart.

Best was known for transcribing numerous masterpieces for organ and orchestra, though the same critic noted his willingness to alter the harmony of the masters when it suited him, deeming this a “sacrilège.” He also published an “incalculable” number of transcriptions and original compositions, including a “Collection of organe pièces” in several books, though their value was considered “mince” (Biographie universelle des musiciens, 1880). His name also appears as a contributor, with “Mrs. Edith Oldham Best,” in the “List of Contributors” for Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians (American Supplement) (1922).