Early Irish and Scottish Composers, Vol. XII

Early Irish and Scottish Composers, Vol. XII

By Daniel Zimmermann

Copyright by Daniel Zimmermann

Chapter One: Irish Composers

John Mahon (1749-1834)

Mahon was born in Oxford, England. He was a member of a musical Irish family, and he did not forget his roots. He visited Dublin on several occasions. Dublin was also the city in which he married Margaret Perry in 1792, and he moved to Dublin when he retired in 1825. He also died in Dublin.

He played the clarinet, the violin, and the viola. He liked to play the clarinet in public concerts. In 1772 his first performance took place in the Holywell Music Room in Oxford; but he soon transferred his activities to London, where he often worked with his brother William. He also blessed other cities with his clarinet playing, not only in England, but also in Scotland and Ireland.

An interesting composition is his Clarinet Concerto No. 2 in F major. It has three movements. The theme of the second movement is a Scottish tune: The Birks of Endermay. The third movement is a brisk rondo.

He also composed a pair of duets, one in F major, the other in B flat major. They may be played on either clarinets or basset horns.

Since John’s brother William also played the clarinet, it is easy to guess why John wrote duets for this instrument.

John Mahon also wrote a treatise entitled: A New and Compleat Preceptor for the Clarinet.

Daniel Roseingrave (c.1655-1727)

Ralph Roseingrave (1695-1747)

Thomas Roseingrave  (c.1690-1766)

Daniel Roseingrave served as organist consecutively in Gloucester Cathedral, Winchester Cathedral, and Salisbury Cathedral. From 1698 until his death, he played in two Dublin cathedrals: St. Patrick’s and Christ Church.

He composed several anthems, including