Michael Christian Festing facts for kids
Michael Christian Festing (born November 29, 1705, died July 24, 1752) was a talented English violinist and composer. He was best known for being an amazing violin player, a true virtuoso.
About Michael Festing
Michael Christian Festing was born in London. He was christened in December 1705. His parents were John and Elizabeth Festing. Michael had a brother named John. John was a musician too, playing the flute and oboe. He earned a lot of money teaching music. Some people think Michael's brother is in a famous painting. It's called The Enraged Musician by William Hogarth.
Festing first learned to play the violin from Richard Jones. Later, he studied with a famous musician named Francesco Geminiani. Michael played his first professional concert on March 6, 1723. It was at Hickford's Room in London.
Soon after, Festing met a young boy named Thomas Arne. They met at the Italian Opera house. Festing could go backstage, but Arne, who was still a boy, was not allowed. A music historian said Arne snuck in, dressed like a servant. He wanted to see the amazing music scores there.
Festing and Arne became good friends. Arne started learning violin and music composition from Festing. Festing was only a few years older. He helped Arne learn a lot about music. He took him to many concerts, operas, and shows. Because of Festing, Thomas Arne's father let him become a musician. His father had wanted him to be a lawyer.
Becoming a Composer
In the mid-1720s, Festing started writing his own music. At first, he mostly wrote for the violin. Later, he wrote music for orchestras. He also wrote songs and some music for churches and plays. The first time his music was mentioned was in a concert ad from 1726.
That same year, he helped start the Academy of Ancient Music. Other famous composers like William Croft and Giovanni Bononcini were part of it. Festing stayed with the group until 1731. He left after a disagreement.
Festing continued to perform in London concerts. He joined the King's Musick on November 4, 1726. This was a group of musicians who played for the royal family. He wrote three sets of minuets for the birthdays of King George II and Queen Caroline. These were played at royal balls in 1734 and 1735. Festing also played many solo concerts in London.
In 1730, Festing published his first music book. It was called Twelve Solos for a Violin and Thorough Bass op. 1. He dedicated it to the Earl of Plymouth. In 1993, some of his other violin solos were found. Music experts believe they belonged to one of Festing's students.
In 1737, Festing became the director of the orchestra. This was at the Italian opera house. The next year, he helped start a special fund. It was for musicians and their families who needed help. This fund later became the Royal Society of Musicians. Festing was the honorary secretary for many years. Other famous musicians like Thomas Arne and George Frideric Handel also helped start it.
In 1742, Festing became the music director of the Ranelagh Gardens. This was a popular place for entertainment. He wrote music for the shows there. He also led the band until he died in London in 1752. He was 46 years old. Festing had two sons and two daughters. His son Michael married Katherine, the daughter of composer Maurice Greene.
Festing's Music
Festing wrote a lot of music. He composed many sonatas, minuets, concertos, and chamber music pieces. He also wrote songs for singers, cantatas, and odes. His music often has sudden and unusual key changes. He would change keys up or down a whole step. This made his music sound very dramatic. Some music experts compare his music to the Spanish music of Domenico Scarlatti.
Festing started writing music in the Baroque style. This was a popular style of music at the time. Later, his music changed to the galant style. This style was simpler and more graceful. It led to the Classical period of music. His first works were only for instruments. They used common Baroque elements.
When Festing became the music director at Ranelagh Gardens in 1742, he started writing more vocal music. He still wrote some concertos and sonatas too. At Ranelagh, he became known for his odes and cantatas. These were special because they had long singing parts. They also used interesting instruments. They sounded more English than Italian.
One important piece is his Ode on St Cecilia's Day. It shows the influence of Handel's oratorio Alexander's Feast. Another is his Ode on the Return of … the Duke of Cumberland. This piece used a full Baroque orchestra. It included kettledrums, trumpets, oboes, and horns. Festing also performed many songs and cantatas at Ranelagh. These were similar to the works of John Stanley.
Music by Festing can be seen in a painting of Joseph Gibbs. The painting was done by Thomas Gainsborough. The music on the stand in the painting is from Festing's Op 7, published in 1744. Joseph Gibbs was listed as a subscriber to that music.
