John Collett (c1735-1775) was an English violinist and composer. He is credited with composing the first British four movement symphony. [1]
Little is known of Collett's life. He may have been the son of Richard Collett or Thomas Collett, both members of the Royal Society of Musicians from 1739. John Collett was a violinist at both Vauxhall Gardens and the Foundling Hospital. He later moved to Scotland, where he remained for the rest of his life. He was a member of the Cape Club in Edinburgh, and set fellow member Robert Fergusson's words to a cantata, Ode on the Rivers of Scotland (1772, now lost). Another cantata, The Birthday Cantata for Andrew Crosbie, was composed in Edinburgh the following year, and has survived. [1]
His Six Solos for the Violin (with harpsichord thoroughbass) were published around 1758. He wrote pantomime theatre music for David Garrick at Drury Lane and songs for the pleasure gardens. His Six Symphonies or Overtures, dedicated to Thomas Earl of Kelly, were published in 1766, and like Kelly's symphonies they reflect the Mannheim Style popular at the time. [2] Number 3, originally the overture to Midas , composed in 1764, became well known. [1] There is a modern recording of Number 5. [3]
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