Complete Encyclopaedia of Music/A/Attwood, Thomas

Attwood, Thomas, was born in the year 1767. When nine years of age, he was admitted a chorister in the chapel royal, and received the rudiments of his musical education under Dr Nares, (the master of the chapel boys,) and hi successor, Dr. Ayrton, remaining under their tuition about five years. When Attwood had attained his sixteenth year, he was so fortunate as to perform at Buckingham House before tin Prince of Wales, who most graciously propose( to send him to Italy. to study under the celebrated masters of that school, and for this purpose settled a handsome income upon him paid out of his royal highness's private purse, for the whole period of hi absence from Eng. land. This unlooked-for patronage and bounty was remembered with the deepest sense of gratitude by Attwood, who ascribed to that generous act his subsequent professional successes. In the year 1783, he accordingly went to Naples, where he resided two years, receiving instructions during that time from Filippo Cinque and Latilla. From Naples he went to Vienna, where he was so fortunate as to become the pupil of the celebrated Mozart, under whom he studied till the year 1786, when he returned to England. His royal highness, still most nobly and generously continuing his patronage, nominated Attwood one of the musicians of his chamber band, to which the celebrated Schrceder was at that time attached. Soon after the marriage of the Duke of York with the Princess Royal of Prussia, Attwood was applied to by the duke to instruct her royal highness in music. On the arrival of the Princess of Wales M. England, he was also selected by his munificent patron to be her royal highness's musical instructor. In 1795, Attwood succeeded Jones as organist of St. Paul's Cathedral ; and, in 1796, obtained the situation of composer to his majesty's chapels royal, succeeding the late Dr. Dupuis. Lastly, in 1821, his majesty added to the numerous instances of royal favor already shown him, and which he had continued through so long a period, by appointing Attwood to the situation of organist of the private chapel in the Pavilion at Brighton. All these situations he is said to have had the gratification of obtaining either directly from his majesty, or in consequence of his majesty's generous recommendation. For several years Attwood devoted much of his time to dramatic music, in which he was so eminently successful, that the public experienced a great loss when he thought fit to change the line of his studies. He composed several operas, of which the following were the most popular : "The Prisoner," " he Mariners," "The Adopted Child," "The Smugglers," and "The Castle of Sorento." Among his other works, the following are the greatest favorites with the public, viz. : songs, "The Soldier's Dream," "The Adieu," "Sweet Charity," and "The Convent Bells ; "glees and trios, "The Curfew," " In peace love tunes," " To all that breathe," "Quai Silenzio," and "O, heavenly sympathy." Attwood has further produced several pieces of cathedral music ; and of late years has employed a consider-able portion of his time in this species of composition. In virtue of his office, as composer to the chapels royal, he wrote the coronation anthem, "I was glad," which was performed at the coronation of' George IV. In speaking of this composition, a modern critic observes, "We have frequently heard, from persons of undoubted authority, that Attwood has a profound knowledge of orchestral effects, and we now have a proof of the fact before us. In particular, we admire the use which he has made of the wind instruments. His admirable disposition of them is, Indeed, worthy of a pupil of Mozart." He died in 1838.