John Valentine (composer) facts for kids

John Valentine (born June 7, 1730 – died September 10, 1791) was a talented English musician. He played the violin and viola, and he was also a composer, meaning he wrote music.

Life and Music Career

John Valentine was born in Leicester, England. His parents were John and Sarah Valentine. Around 1759, John Valentine opened his own music shop in Leicester. He sold musical instruments and sheet music. He also taught people how to play different instruments, like the keyboard and the horn.

John was a performer too! He often played the violin or viola in concerts around Leicester. In 1784, he even played in special concerts in London. These concerts were held to honor the famous composer George Frederic Handel. They were called the Handel Commemoration concerts.

A Musical Family

The Valentine family in Leicester was very musical. John Valentine's great-uncle, Robert Valentine, was also a composer. John's uncle, Henry Valentine, played the oboe and ran his own music shop in Leicester.

John Valentine married Tabitha Simpson in 1755. They had six children. Many of their children became musicians too!

• Their son, Thomas Valentine (born 1759), was a violinist. He also played in the Handel Commemoration concerts.
• Their daughter, Ann Valentine, became a composer, just like her father. You can still find her music today!
• Another daughter, Sarah (1771–1843), was an organist at St Martin's Church in Leicester for 40 years. She also wrote at least one piece of music called The British March and Quickstep for the Pianoforte.

John Valentine passed away in Leicester and was buried at St Margaret's Church.

Music John Valentine Wrote

John Valentine wrote many different kinds of music. He composed short dance pieces called minuets, marches, and even music for church services. He also wrote longer pieces called symphonies.

He published many of his musical works between 1765 and 1785. Some of his well-known compositions include:

• Eight Easy Symphonies (published in 1782)
• The Epithalamium for Isabella, or the Fatal Marriage (a piece for the theatre from 1762)
• My Shepherd is the Living Lord (a church song for four voices, from his collection Thirty Psalm Tunes)
• Ode to Peace (a song for four voices from 1763)
• Ode on the Birthday of the Marquis of Granby