Obadiah Shuttleworth facts for kids

Obadiah Shuttleworth (died 1734) was a talented English musician. He was a composer, a great violinist, and an organist. His father, Thomas Shuttleworth, was also a musician. He copied music and played the harpsichord. We don't know exactly when Obadiah was born.

A Gifted Musician

Obadiah Shuttleworth was known for his amazing violin playing. In the early 1700s, he played at special public concerts. These concerts were organized by Thomas Britton. Britton was a coal merchant, but he loved music. His concerts were held at his business in Clerkenwell, London. Many professional and amateur musicians came to hear them.

Leading Concerts

Shuttleworth also led concerts himself. These started around 1728. They were held at the Swan Tavern in Cornhill. A famous music historian, Sir John Hawkins, wrote about Shuttleworth. He said Obadiah played the violin so well that he was among the best musicians of his time.

A Talented Organist

Shuttleworth was also a skilled organist. In January 1724, he became the organist at St Michael, Cornhill church. Before that, he was the organist at St Mary's, Whitechapel.

Playing at Temple Church

On May 4, 1729, a London newspaper announced his new job. He was appointed organist of the Temple Church. Sir John Hawkins mentioned that Shuttleworth was "celebrated for his fine finger on the organ." Many people came to hear him play. At the Temple Church, he would often play for almost an hour after the evening service. He kept both organist jobs until he died on May 2, 1734. He left behind his wife and two daughters.

His Musical Works

Obadiah Shuttleworth wrote several musical pieces. These included concertos, sonatas, solos, and cantatas. However, only two of his works still exist today. These are two concerti grossi. A concerto grosso is a piece for a small group of solo instruments and a larger orchestra.

Important Compositions

Shuttleworth's two concerti grossi are for two solo violins and a string orchestra. He arranged them from the solo sonatas of another famous composer, Arcangelo Corelli (1653–1713). These works were published in London in 1726. Some experts believe that Francesco Geminiani's concerto arrangements were the first of their kind published in England. If so, Obadiah Shuttleworth was the first Englishman to publish such concertos. This type of concerto became very popular in England in the early 1700s.