John Crosdill facts for kids
John Crosdill (1751–1825) was a famous English musician. He was especially known for playing the cello and the viol. He was one of the top cellists in London during the late 1700s.
About John Crosdill
John Crosdill was born in London, England, in 1751. His father, Richard Crosdill, was also a cellist. Sometimes people got them mixed up! John Crosdill was a very skilled performer. He played many types of music, including concertos, sonatas, and chamber music. He played both solo parts and as part of an orchestra.
John started his musical training when he was very young. He became a singer (chorister) at Westminster Abbey. His teachers there were John Robinson and Benjamin Cooke. Later, he learned to play the cello from his father.
His Musical Journey
John Crosdill first played the cello in public when he was just nine years old! His probable teacher, Emanuel Siprutini, presented him in a musical duo. When he was 17, in 1768, he became a member of the Royal Society of Musicians.
In 1775, Crosdill played at the King's Theatre for special musical shows called oratorios. These were supported by the famous composer Johann Christian Bach. He also played for oratorios at Covent Garden and Drury Lane in later years.
Crosdill was the main cellist for the Three Choirs Festival almost every year from 1769. He was also the main cellist for the Concerts of Ancient Music from when they started in 1776 until he retired. In 1778, he became a violist in the Chapel Royal.
In 1782, John Crosdill got a very important job. He became a musician for Queen Charlotte. He also became the cello teacher for the Prince of Wales (who later became King George IV). Because of this, Crosdill became the most popular cello teacher of his time. He even organized private concerts for important families.
In 1784, he was given another special job in Ireland. Some famous musicians, like Dr Charles Burney, thought he didn't deserve it. Crosdill also played in the yearly performances of Messiah. He was the main cellist for the big Handel concerts at Westminster Abbey in 1784.
During his most active years, Crosdill often traveled to Paris. He was a favorite of Marie Antoinette, the Queen of France! In Paris, he studied with and became good friends with the Duport brothers, Jean-Pierre Duport and Jean-Louis Duport. He also played in Giovanni Batista Viotti's orchestra in 1780.
Crosdill returned to England for good in 1785. He played in many concerts that year. He also met the famous composer Haydn in 1791. Later, in 1802, he bought a famous cello called the "Mara" Stradivari. Crosdill taught many future cellists, including Robert Lindley.
His Marriage and Later Life
In 1785, John Crosdill married Elizabeth Thresher. She was a wealthy widow. Elizabeth was quite a bit older than John. Her money allowed him to stop performing in public. However, he did play at the Three Choirs Festival in Gloucester for two more years. He also performed at the coronation of King George IV in 1821.
Elizabeth died in 1807. She left all her money to her sisters. John Crosdill's name was only mentioned in her will to confirm he was her husband. There are different stories about where John Crosdill died in October 1825. Some say he died in Yorkshire, and others say he died at his home in London.
John Crosdill had a son from a later marriage, Lieutenant Colonel John Crosdill. His son inherited a lot of money when John died in 1825. John Crosdill also left money for special rings to remember him by for many of his friends, including musicians Benjamin Blake and William Shield. His son later gave £1000 to the Royal Society of Musicians as his father wished.
