William Crotch

William Crotch ( born July 5, 1775 in Norwich, † December 29, 1847 in Taunton ) was an English composer and organist who aroused as early musical talent sensation.

Life

William Crotch aroused as early musical talent sensation. He was said to be already at the age of 2 years and 3 months in a position to one of his father - to play organ constructed the national anthem - a carpenter. The composer and music historian Charles Burney held in February 1779 in front of the Academy of Sciences a paper on the phenomenon of not yet four years old, who had already demonstrated also Absolute pitch. In the following years Crotch appeared as a musical prodigy in public, it was the age of four daily concerts in the premises of a hat shop in Piccadilly / London.

1786 William Crotch began studying at Cambridge; be composed at this time, oratorio, The Captivity of Judah was first performed in 1789 in the local Trinity Hall. 1788 moved Crotch to Oxford to study theology, but soon resorted again to the music, in 1790 organist of Christ Church, Oxford and earned the 1794 musical baccalaureate. 1797 Crotch University professor of music and organist of St. John 's College. To 1807, he moved to London, where he worked as a teacher and gave lectures. Crotch also dealt with the visual arts, came into contact with John Constable and published in 1809 a few etchings and drawings. At times he was a member of the Philharmonic Society of London. In 1822 he was appointed head of the newly founded Royal Academy of Music. One of his students was William Sterndale Bennett there. His directorship in 1832 he laid down. 1834 moved Crotch from the public and spent his last years with his son in Taunton.

Work

Crotch composed three oratorios: The Captivity of Judah the fabric he set twice, and in 1812 he wrote the first English oratorio Palestine for more than forty years. However, the set in the child prodigy hopes could not meet the adult as a composer; His works are considered to be rather pale Handel echo with influences of Haydn. In England, some of his choral songs and anthems are maintained. He also wrote two symphonies, an organ concert and didactic works.

Swell

• Blume, Friedrich ( ed.): The music in the past and present, 1st Edition, 1949-1986