Obadiah Shuttleworth
Encyclopedia
Obadiah Shuttleworth English composer, violinist and organist, was the son of Thomas Shuttleworth of Spitalfields
in London. Thomas was a professional music copyist and harpsichord player.
The exact date of Obadiah's birth is uncertain.
Obadiah was an excellent violinist and in the early 18th century he took part in the influential public concerts arranged by the London coal merchant Thomas Britton
(known as 'the musical small coal man') at his business premises in Clerkenwell
to which musical professionals and amateurs from all ranks of London society were drawn. Shuttleworth also led concerts that were later established about 1728 at the Swan Tavern, Cornhill. The 18th-century musical historian, Sir John Hawkins
, wrote of him that he 'played the violin to such a degree of perfection, as gave him a rank among the first masters of his time'.
In January 1724, according to the newspaper the British Journal
(11 January 1724), Shuttleworth was made organist at the church of St Michael, Cornhill
, having previously been the organist at St Mary's, Whitechapel
. On 4 May 1729 the London newspaper The London Evening Post announced his appointment as organist of the Temple Church
. According to Hawkins, Shuttleworth was 'celebrated for his fine finger on the organ, and drew numbers to hear him, especially at the Temple Church
where he would frequently play near an hour after evening service'. He retained both organist appointments until his death on 2 May 1734. A widow and two daughters survived him.
While several works by Shuttleworth (concertos, sonatas, solos, and cantatas) are known from various sources, the only extant works by him are two concerti grossi
, for two solo violins and string orchestra, arranged from the opus 5 solo sonatas by Arcangelo Corelli
(1653–1713), that were published in London in 1726. If, as some leading scholars now believe, Francesco Geminiani
's 1726 concerto arrangements from the same set of Corelli sonatas were probably the first to be published in England that required two violin soloists, then Obadiah Shuttleworth has the distinction of being the first Englishman to publish such concertos, in a form that would come to dominate English string concertos of the early 18th century.
Spitalfields
Spitalfields is a former parish in the borough of Tower Hamlets, in the East End of London, near to Liverpool Street station and Brick Lane. The area straddles Commercial Street and is home to many markets, including the historic Old Spitalfields Market, founded in the 17th century, Sunday...
in London. Thomas was a professional music copyist and harpsichord player.
The exact date of Obadiah's birth is uncertain.
Obadiah was an excellent violinist and in the early 18th century he took part in the influential public concerts arranged by the London coal merchant Thomas Britton
Thomas Britton
Thomas Britton was an English charcoal merchant best known as a concert promoter.-Biography:Born in Rushden, Northamptonshire, Britton moved to London at a young age and apprenticed himself to a small coal-man in Clerkenwell...
(known as 'the musical small coal man') at his business premises in Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell
Clerkenwell is an area of central London in the London Borough of Islington. From 1900 to 1965 it was part of the Metropolitan Borough of Finsbury. The well after which it was named was rediscovered in 1924. The watchmaking and watch repairing trades were once of great importance...
to which musical professionals and amateurs from all ranks of London society were drawn. Shuttleworth also led concerts that were later established about 1728 at the Swan Tavern, Cornhill. The 18th-century musical historian, Sir John Hawkins
John Hawkins (author)
Sir John Hawkins was an English author and friend of Dr Samuel Johnson and Horace Walpole. He was part of Johnson's various clubs but later left The Literary Club after a disagreement with some of Johnson's other friends. His friendship with Johnson continued and he was made one of the executors...
, wrote of him that he 'played the violin to such a degree of perfection, as gave him a rank among the first masters of his time'.
In January 1724, according to the newspaper the British Journal
British Journal
The British Journal was an English newspaper published from 22 September 1722 until 13 January 1728. The paper was then published as the British Journal or The Censor from 20 January 1728 until 23 November 1730 and then as the British Journal or The Traveller from 30 November 1730 until 20 March...
(11 January 1724), Shuttleworth was made organist at the church of St Michael, Cornhill
St Michael, Cornhill
St Michael, Cornhill is a medieval parish church in the City of London with pre-Norman Conquest parochial foundation. The medieval structure was lost in the Great Fire of London and the current church was designed by Sir Christopher Wren between 1670-1677....
, having previously been the organist at St Mary's, Whitechapel
Whitechapel
Whitechapel is a built-up inner city district in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, London, England. It is located east of Charing Cross and roughly bounded by the Bishopsgate thoroughfare on the west, Fashion Street on the north, Brady Street and Cavell Street on the east and The Highway on the...
. On 4 May 1729 the London newspaper The London Evening Post announced his appointment as organist of the Temple Church
Temple Church
The Temple Church is a late-12th-century church in London located between Fleet Street and the River Thames, built for and by the Knights Templar as their English headquarters. In modern times, two Inns of Court both use the church. It is famous for its effigy tombs and for being a round church...
. According to Hawkins, Shuttleworth was 'celebrated for his fine finger on the organ, and drew numbers to hear him, especially at the Temple Church
Temple Church
The Temple Church is a late-12th-century church in London located between Fleet Street and the River Thames, built for and by the Knights Templar as their English headquarters. In modern times, two Inns of Court both use the church. It is famous for its effigy tombs and for being a round church...
where he would frequently play near an hour after evening service'. He retained both organist appointments until his death on 2 May 1734. A widow and two daughters survived him.
While several works by Shuttleworth (concertos, sonatas, solos, and cantatas) are known from various sources, the only extant works by him are two concerti grossi
Concerto grosso
The concerto grosso is a form of baroque music in which the musical material is passed between a small group of soloists and full orchestra...
, for two solo violins and string orchestra, arranged from the opus 5 solo sonatas by Arcangelo Corelli
Arcangelo Corelli
Arcangelo Corelli was an Italian violinist and composer of Baroque music.-Biography:Corelli was born at Fusignano, in the current-day province of Ravenna, although at the time it was in the province of Ferrara. Little is known about his early life...
(1653–1713), that were published in London in 1726. If, as some leading scholars now believe, Francesco Geminiani
Francesco Geminiani
thumb|230px|Francesco Geminiani.Francesco Saverio Geminiani was an Italian violinist, composer, and music theorist.-Biography:...
's 1726 concerto arrangements from the same set of Corelli sonatas were probably the first to be published in England that required two violin soloists, then Obadiah Shuttleworth has the distinction of being the first Englishman to publish such concertos, in a form that would come to dominate English string concertos of the early 18th century.