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— CH. 1 · A CHORISTER'S JOURNEY —

Thomas Attwood (composer)

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  • Thomas Attwood was born on the 23rd of November 1765 in London. He likely grew up in Pimlico as the son of a musician within the royal band. At age nine, he joined the Chapel Royal choir. James Nares and Edmund Ayrton provided his early musical training during these formative years. The Prince of Wales later funded Attwood's studies abroad after hearing him play the harpsichord. This patronage sent the young boy to Naples for two years before he traveled to Vienna. There he became a favored pupil of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

  • In 1796, Thomas Attwood secured the position of organist at St Paul's Cathedral. That same year he also became composer of the Chapel Royal. His court connections deepened when he served as musical instructor to the Duchess of York. He later taught the Princess of Wales as well. In January 1806, he performed his Grand Dirge on the organ for Lord Nelson's funeral. This piece remained the only composition written specifically for that occasion. King George IV eventually restored Attwood to favor in 1821. The monarch appointed him organist to his private chapel at Brighton.

  • Attwood taught many notable figures during his career including John Goss and Cipriani Potter. His godson Thomas Attwood Walmisley later edited his collected services and anthems. Child prodigy Elizabeth Jonas studied under his guidance as well. Through his friendship with Felix Mendelssohn, he encouraged William Sterndale Bennett. This relationship helped shape the future of British composition. The young composer benefited greatly from Attwood's mentorship and support network.

    Attwood became one of the original members of the Royal Philharmonic Society founded in 1813. He also co-founded the Regent's Harmonic Institution in 1818. This

  • music publishing firm operated with backing from the RPS. Soon after the establishment of the Royal Academy of Music in 1823, Attwood was chosen as one of its professors. He wrote O Lord Grant the King a Long Life for William IV's coronation. He was composing a similar work for Queen Victoria when he died at his house on Cheyne Walk Chelsea.

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1765 births1838 deaths18th-century English composers18th-century English keyboardists18th-century English male musicians19th-century English composers19th-century English male composers19th-century English organistsAcademics of the Royal Academy of MusicBurials at St Paul's CathedralEnglish cathedral organistsEnglish classical organistsEnglish Classical-period composersEnglish male classical organistsGlee composers

Common questions

When was Thomas Attwood born and where did he grow up?

Thomas Attwood was born on the 23rd of November 1765 in London. He likely grew up in Pimlico as the son of a musician within the royal band.

Who were the teachers of Thomas Attwood during his early musical training?

James Nares and Edmund Ayrton provided his early musical training during these formative years. The Prince of Wales later funded Attwood's studies abroad after hearing him play the harpsichord.

What major positions did Thomas Attwood hold at St Paul's Cathedral and the Chapel Royal?

In 1796, Thomas Attwood secured the position of organist at St Paul's Cathedral. That same year he also became composer of the Chapel Royal.

Which famous composers studied under the guidance of Thomas Attwood?

Attwood taught many notable figures during his career including John Goss and Cipriani Potter. Child prodigy Elizabeth Jonas studied under his guidance as well.

When did Thomas Attwood die and what work was he composing at that time?

He died at his house on Cheyne Walk Chelsea while composing a similar work for Queen Victoria when he died at his house on Cheyne Walk Chelsea.

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