John Reading (composer, organist and copyist) facts for kids

John Reading (born around 1685 or 1686, died September 2, 1764) was an English composer, organist, and copyist. His name is pronounced "Redding," just like the town. He was very important for his work in copying, arranging, and changing many different kinds of music.

John Reading's Life

We don't know much about John Reading's early life. He was probably the son of another famous musician named John Reading. His father was an organist and choirmaster at Winchester College.

Young John Reading got a great musical education. He was a choirboy at the Chapel Royal. There, he was taught by a famous composer named John Blow.

When choirboys' voices changed, the Chapel Royal usually helped them find their first job. John Reading became the organist at Dulwich College in London. He worked there for two years (1700–1702).

Moving to Lincoln and London

After Dulwich, he moved to Lincoln Cathedral. In 1703, he became the Master of the Choristers there. This was a job his father had also held.

By 1708, he was the organist at St John's, Hackney in London. He stayed there for about 20 years. This church was known for its music. It was one of the first churches to get an organ after the English Restoration.

In 1727, he became the organist for two churches combined: St Mary Woolnoth and St Mary Woolchurch Haw in the City of London. He also took on the job of organist at St Dunstan's-in-the-West. He was an early member of the Royal Society of Musicians. John Reading died in London. His picture can be seen at the Dulwich College Art Gallery.

Why John Reading Was Important

Reading was a good organist, composer, and teacher. But his biggest contribution to music was his work as a copyist. He lived during a time when musical styles were changing quickly.

English organ music was behind other countries. However, forms like the Fantasy and the Voluntary were popular. They were becoming very influenced by the Italian style. Composers like Vivaldi and Corelli were popular. The sound of English organs was also changing, influenced by French organs.

His Playing Style

These changes in music style were clear in Reading's organ playing. In 1719, people at the Church of St John-at-Hackney complained about him. They said he played the Voluntary for too long. They also said he used "too light, Airy and Jyggy Tunes." These tunes were not thought to be proper for a church service.

Reading's playing showed how much he admired the Italian style. In a book he wrote in 1710, he mentioned how Italian opera influenced London. He hoped English composers would be inspired by a "Roman Genius." Even though Reading promised to change, he was eventually fired from his job in Hackney.

His Music Collection

Reading must have really liked Dulwich College, where he had his first job. He gave 12 volumes of his music to the college. He had collected, copied, and arranged this music himself.

These books are now kept in the Dulwich archives. They are a very important source of English organ music. They also contain psalm settings, harpsichord music, and church anthems. He arranged these for voices singing together.

His copies of music are accurate. He also correctly named the composers. However, he sometimes "improved" pieces as he copied them. For example, he might add lower notes in the bass. He also thought different parts of a voluntary could be swapped. Sometimes he would write: "follow this with any fugue" (a type of musical piece).

His handwritten music often has detailed notes on how to play the organ. For example, the first movements were played on diapasons (a type of organ pipe). Other parts were marked "Full Organ." Most of his own music was serious. This was very different from the "frivolity" that the church members in Hackney complained about.