The "Professional Concerts" were subscription concerts established in 1783 and given at the

Hanover Square Rooms The Hanover Square Rooms or the Queen's Concert Rooms were assembly rooms established, principally for musical performances, on the corner of Hanover Square, London, by Sir John Gallini in partnership with Johann Christian Bach and Carl Friedric ...

in London. Leading musicians of the day performed at the concerts.

History

Background

Other regular concerts began in London around this time: the subscription concerts established by

Johann Christian Bach Johann Christian Bach (September 5, 1735 – January 1, 1782) was a German composer of the Classical period (music), Classical era, the eighteenth child of Johann Sebastian Bach, and the youngest of his eleven sons. After living in Italy for ...

and

Carl Friedrich Abel Carl Friedrich Abel (22 December 1723 – 20 June 1787) was a German composer of the Classical era. He was a renowned player of the viola da gamba, and produced significant compositions for that instrument. Life Abel was born in Köthen, ...

, which ran from 1764 to 1782, and the Concerts of Antient Music, which began in 1776.Giorgio Pestelli. ''The Age of Mozart and Beethoven''. Cambridge University Press, 1984. Page 169.
/ref>Alexander L. Ringer. ''Early Romantic Era: Between Revolutions, 1789 and 1848''. Springer, 2016. Page 206.
/ref> The prestigious Hanover Square Rooms, accommodating about 900 people, opened in 1775 with a concert given by Bach and Abel.Gerald Newman, Leslie Ellen Brown. ''Britain in the Hanoverian Age, 1714–1837''. Taylor & Francis, 1997. Page 474.
/ref>

Establishment

The committee directing the Professional Concerts included

Wilhelm Cramer Wilhelm Cramer (2 June 1746, Mannheim – 5 October 1799, London) was a famous London violinist and musical conductor of German origin. He was part of a large family who were connected with music during both the 18th and 19th centuries. He is ...

, leader of the orchestra; William Dance, principal second violin; the cellist

James Cervetto James Cervetto (8 January 1748 – 5 February 1837) was an English cellist, playing in aristocratic venues and in important concerts of the day. He was the soloist for the premiere of Haydn’s second cello concerto. Life Cervetto was born in Lo ...

; and the composer and violinist

William Shield William Shield (5 March 1748 – 25 January 1829) was an English composer, violinist and viola, violist. His music earned the respect of Haydn and Beethoven. Life and musical career Shield was born in Swalwell near Gateshead, County Durham, th ...

. The subscription was five guineas for twelve weekly concerts. Performers at the Professional Concerts included the tenor

Samuel Harrison Samuel Bealey Harrison (March 4, 1802 – July 23, 1867) was Joint Premier of the Province of Canada for Canada East from 1841 to 1842 with William Henry Draper PM for Canada West. Draper was a member of the Family Compact and Harrison was ...

from about 1783, the oboist Friedrich Ramm in 1784, the pianist and singer

Maria Theresia von Paradis Maria Theresia von Paradis (May 15, 1759 – February 1, 1824) was an Austrian musician and composer who lost her sight at an early age, and for whom her close friend Mozart may have written his Piano Concerto No. 18 in B-flat major. She was a ...

in 1785, and the violinist

George Bridgetower George Augustus Polgreen Bridgetower (11 October 1778 – 29 February 1860) was a British musician, of African descent. He was a virtuoso violinist who lived in England for much of his life. His playing impressed Beethoven, who made Bridge ...

in 1790. William Thomas Parke wrote that in 1788 the Professional Concerts "were allowed to be of the most perfect and gratifying kind, the band being composed of performers of the first talent in the kingdom, and the company of the most elegant description."Simon McVeigh. ''Concert Life in London from Mozart to Haydn''. Cambridge University Press, 2006. Page 17.
/ref>

Rivalry with Salomon's concerts

Johann Peter Salomon Johann Peter Salomon (20 February 1745 aptized– 28 November 1815) was a German violinist, composer, conductor and musical impresario. Although he was an accomplished violinist, he is best known for bringing Joseph Haydn to London and for c ...

had been excluded from the Professional Concerts, and set up his own concerts in 1791, continuing until 1795. He brought

Joseph Haydn Franz Joseph Haydn ( , ; 31 March 173231 May 1809) was an Austrian composer of the Classical period (music), Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the string quartet and piano trio. His contributions ...

to London to appear there.

The directors of the Professional Concerts, unable to make Haydn break his engagements with Salomon, invited his pupil Ignaz Pleyel to conduct concerts, hoping that rivalry between them would induce Haydn to perform at the concerts. This did not succeed, Haydn and Pleyel remaining on friendly terms. At Pleyel's first appearance in February 1792, which included a symphony he had written for the occasion, Haydn was in the audience. The Professional Concerts, suffering from the popularity of Salomon's concerts, ended in 1793.

References

{{reflist British music history Concerts Classical music in London

History

Background

Establishment

Rivalry with Salomon's concerts

See also

References