Effective period / Period of releases: 1951 - 2017

William Boyce (baptized 11 September 1711 – 7 February 1779) is widely regarded as one of the most important English-born composers of the 18th century.

Boyce is best known for his set of eight symphonies, his anthems and his odes. He also wrote the masque "Peleus and Thetis" and songs for John Dryden's "Secular Masque", incidental music for William Shakespeare's "The Tempest", "Cymbeline", "Romeo and Juliet" and "The Winter's Tale", and a quantity of chamber music including a set of twelve trio sonatas. He also composed the British and Canadian Naval March "Heart of Oak".