Cipriani Potter
Encyclopedia
Philip Cipriani Hambly Potter (3 October 1792 – 26 September 1871) was a British composer
, pianist
and educator.
). His father began his musical instruction, which was continued by Thomas Attwood
, William Crotch
and Joseph Wölfl
. In 1816 an overture by him was performed at a Philharmonic concert. Frustrated by a lack of opportunities in England, Potter went to Vienna in 1817, where he met Beethoven
who advised him to study with Aloys Förster. Returning to England in 1819, Potter became a central figure in London concert life as both a pianist and conductor, playing piano in the British premiere of several Mozart
piano concertos and Beethoven's 1st
, 3rd
and 4th
piano concertos, as well as conducting the British premiere of Mendelssohn
's G minor piano concerto
with the composer at the piano. In 1822, Potter began teaching at the Royal Academy of Music
, first piano and later conducting the orchestra. In 1832 he became Principal of the Royal RAM, resigning in 1859. His students there included William Sterndale Bennett
and Joseph Barnby
. As Potter focused more on his educational work and preparing editions of Mozart and Beethoven keyboard music, he composed less and less often. There are few works written after 1837. He did, however, maintain a keen interest in new music from the continent, giving the first British rendition of Brahms
's German Requiem, as a piano duet.
There are nine extant symphonies, although the composer's numbering tells us he wrote ten. The tenth symphony in G minor was praised by Richard Wagner
during his time as conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Society
. He also wrote four piano concerti, some chamber music and several piano solo pieces. His instrumental music displays the continental inheritance of his teachers in its use of instrumental forms such as sonata form
. Aside from a cantata and a handful of songs, Potter composed no vocal music. Potter also wrote a couple of articles for periodicals about music, one of them about his visit to Beethoven.
Potter owned a 1683 Stradivarius
violin, named in his likeness, the Cipriani Potter.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, pianist
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
and educator.
Life and career
Born in London, the son of a piano teacher named Richard Huddleston Potter, Cipriani was named after his godmother (a sister of Giovanni Battista CiprianiGiovanni Battista Cipriani
Giovanni Battista Cipriani , Italian painter and engraver, Pistoiese by descent, was born in Florence.-History:His first lessons were given him by a Florentine of English descent, Ignatius Hugford, and then under Anton Domenico Gabbiani...
). His father began his musical instruction, which was continued by Thomas Attwood
Thomas Attwood (composer)
Thomas Attwood was an English composer and organist.The son of a musician in the royal band, Attwood was born in London. At the age of nine he became a chorister in the Chapel Royal. In 1783 he was sent to study abroad at the expense of the Prince of Wales , who had been favourably impressed by...
, William Crotch
William Crotch
William Crotch was an English composer, organist and artist.Born in Norwich to a master carpenter he showed early musical talent . The three and a half year old Master William Crotch was taken to London by his ambitious mother, where he not only played on the organ of the Chapel Royal in St....
and Joseph Wölfl
Joseph Wölfl
Joseph Wölfl was an Austrian pianist and composer.-Biography:Wölfl was born at Salzburg, where he studied music under Leopold Mozart and Michael Haydn....
. In 1816 an overture by him was performed at a Philharmonic concert. Frustrated by a lack of opportunities in England, Potter went to Vienna in 1817, where he met Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven
Ludwig van Beethoven was a German composer and pianist. A crucial figure in the transition between the Classical and Romantic eras in Western art music, he remains one of the most famous and influential composers of all time.Born in Bonn, then the capital of the Electorate of Cologne and part of...
who advised him to study with Aloys Förster. Returning to England in 1819, Potter became a central figure in London concert life as both a pianist and conductor, playing piano in the British premiere of several Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
piano concertos and Beethoven's 1st
Piano Concerto No. 1 (Beethoven)
Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 1 in C major, op. 15, was written during 1796 and 1797. The first performance was in Prague in 1798, with Beethoven himself playing the piano, dedicated to his student Babette Countess Keglevics....
, 3rd
Piano Concerto No. 3 (Beethoven)
The Piano Concerto No. 3 in C minor, Op. 37, was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven in 1800 and was first performed on 5 April 1803, with the composer as soloist. During that same performance, the Second Symphony and the oratorio Christ on the Mount of Olives were also debuted. The composition...
and 4th
Piano Concerto No. 4 (Beethoven)
Ludwig van Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 4 in G major, Op. 58, was composed in 1805–1806, although no autograph copy survives.-Musical forces and movements:...
piano concertos, as well as conducting the British premiere of Mendelssohn
Felix Mendelssohn
Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Barthóldy , use the form 'Mendelssohn' and not 'Mendelssohn Bartholdy'. The Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians gives ' Felix Mendelssohn' as the entry, with 'Mendelssohn' used in the body text...
's G minor piano concerto
Piano Concerto No. 1 (Mendelssohn)
Mendelssohn's Piano Concerto No. 1 in G minor was written in 1830–1, around the same time as his fourth symphony , and premiered in Munich in October 1831. He had already written a piano concerto in A minor with string accompaniment and two concertos with two pianos...
with the composer at the piano. In 1822, Potter began teaching at the Royal Academy of Music
Royal Academy of Music
The Royal Academy of Music in London, England, is a conservatoire, Britain's oldest degree-granting music school and a constituent college of the University of London since 1999. The Academy was founded by Lord Burghersh in 1822 with the help and ideas of the French harpist and composer Nicolas...
, first piano and later conducting the orchestra. In 1832 he became Principal of the Royal RAM, resigning in 1859. His students there included William Sterndale Bennett
William Sterndale Bennett
Sir William Sterndale Bennett was an English composer. He ranks as the most distinguished English composer of the Romantic school-Biography:...
and Joseph Barnby
Joseph Barnby
Sir Joseph Barnby , English musical composer and conductor, son of Thomas Barnby, an organist, was born at York. He was a chorister at York Minster from the age of seven, was educated at the Royal Academy of Music under Cipriani Potter and Charles Lucas, and was appointed in 1862 organist of St...
. As Potter focused more on his educational work and preparing editions of Mozart and Beethoven keyboard music, he composed less and less often. There are few works written after 1837. He did, however, maintain a keen interest in new music from the continent, giving the first British rendition of Brahms
Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist, and one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna, Austria, where he was a leader of the musical scene...
's German Requiem, as a piano duet.
There are nine extant symphonies, although the composer's numbering tells us he wrote ten. The tenth symphony in G minor was praised by Richard Wagner
Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, conductor, theatre director, philosopher, music theorist, poet, essayist and writer primarily known for his operas...
during his time as conductor of the Royal Philharmonic Society
Royal Philharmonic Society
The Royal Philharmonic Society is a British music society, formed in 1813. It was originally formed in London to promote performances of instrumental music there. Many distinguished composers and performers have taken part in its concerts...
. He also wrote four piano concerti, some chamber music and several piano solo pieces. His instrumental music displays the continental inheritance of his teachers in its use of instrumental forms such as sonata form
Sonata form
Sonata form is a large-scale musical structure used widely since the middle of the 18th century . While it is typically used in the first movement of multi-movement pieces, it is sometimes used in subsequent movements as well—particularly the final movement...
. Aside from a cantata and a handful of songs, Potter composed no vocal music. Potter also wrote a couple of articles for periodicals about music, one of them about his visit to Beethoven.
Potter owned a 1683 Stradivarius
Stradivarius
The name Stradivarius is associated with violins built by members of the Stradivari family, particularly Antonio Stradivari. According to their reputation, the quality of their sound has defied attempts to explain or reproduce, though this belief is controversial...
violin, named in his likeness, the Cipriani Potter.
Discography
There are quite few works of Potter available on CD:- Symphony Nr. 7 in F Dur (Czech Chamber PO, Douglas Bostock), Label: Classico , 2005
- Symphonies 8 & 10 (Milton Keynes City Orchestra), 1993.