John Collett (c1735-1775) was an English violinist and composer. He is credited with composing the first British four movement symphony. Little is known of Collett's life. He may have been the son of Richard Collett or Thomas Collett, both members of the

Royal Society of Musicians The Royal Society of Musicians of Great Britain is a charity in the United Kingdom that supports musicians. It is the oldest music-related charity in Great Britain, founded in 1738 as the ''Fund for Decay'd Musicians'' by a declaration of trust sign ...

from 1739. John Collett was a violinist at both

Vauxhall Gardens Vauxhall Gardens is a public park in Kennington in the London Borough of Lambeth, England, on the south bank of the River Thames. Originally known as New Spring Gardens, it is believed to have opened before the Restoration of 1660, being ...

and the

Foundling Hospital The Foundling Hospital in London, England, was founded in 1739 by the philanthropic sea captain Thomas Coram. It was a children's home established for the "education and maintenance of exposed and deserted young children." The word "hospital" w ...

. He later moved to Scotland, where he remained for the rest of his life.Jürgen Schaarwächter.
Two Centuries of British Symphonism
', Vol 1, pp.43-45 His ''Six Solos for the Violin'' (with harpsichord thoroughbass) were published around 1758. He wrote pantomime theatre music for

David Garrick David Garrick (19 February 1717 – 20 January 1779) was an English actor, playwright, theatre manager and producer who influenced nearly all aspects of European theatrical practice throughout the 18th century, and was a pupil and friend of Sa ...

Drury Lane Drury Lane is a street on the eastern boundary of the Covent Garden area of London, running between Aldwych and High Holborn. The northern part is in the borough of Camden and the southern part in the City of Westminster. Notable landmarks ...

, songs for the pleasure gardens, and several cantatas. His ''Six Symphonies or Overtures'', dedicated to Thomas Earl of Kelly, were published in 1766, and like Kelly's symphonies they reflect the Mannheim Style popular at the time. There is a modern recording of Number 5.
18th Century British Symphonies
', The Hanover Band, ASV CD GAU 216 (2001)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Collett, John British Classical-period composers British male classical composers British classical violinists British male violinists 18th-century classical composers 18th-century British male musicians Male classical violinists