Matthias Hawdon facts for kids
Matthias Hawdon (1732–1789) was an English musician. He was a composer, meaning he wrote music, and an organist, which means he played the organ. He lived and worked in places like the East Riding of Yorkshire and Newcastle upon Tyne.
Matthias Hawdon's Life
Matthias was born in Newcastle upon Tyne. He was christened on October 24, 1732. His father's name was Thomas Hawdon. Matthias learned to play the organ from a famous musician named Charles Avison.
In 1760, Matthias married Mary Browne. They got married on March 6 in Holy Trinity Church, Hull.
Matthias had a son named Thomas Hawdon. Thomas also became an organist, just like his father. In 1787, he took over his father's job as the organist at Holy Trinity Church, Hull.
In 1776, Matthias moved back to Newcastle. He took over organizing a series of concerts after Edward Avison, his teacher's son, passed away. Sadly, this project caused him to lose a lot of money, and he went bankrupt in 1781. He also worked as the organist at St. Nicholas' Church in Newcastle.
Where Matthias Hawdon Worked
Matthias Hawdon held important organist positions at several churches:
- Organist at Holy Trinity Church, Hull from 1751 to 1769.
- Organist at Beverley Minster from 1769 to 1776.
- Organist at St. Nicholas' Church, Newcastle from 1776 until he passed away in 1789.
Matthias Hawdon's Music
Matthias Hawdon wrote several pieces of music during his life:
- A new song (1755)
- Beauty's power (1765)
- Innocence and love (1770)
- Six conversion sonatas for the harpsichord or pianoforte (1775) – These pieces also had parts for two violins and a cello.
- Fancy sung by Mr. Morgan (1780)
- Two concertos for the organ or harpsichord (1780) – These included parts for other instruments.
- Six Sonatas Spirituale or Voluntaries – Opus 4 (1784)
