The British Musical Biography

[E] Barnett, John Francis, pianist and
composer, born in London, October 16, 1887 ;
son of Joseph Alfred Barnett. His first piano-
forte teacher was his mother. In 1849 he was
placed under Dr. Wylde, and in 1850 he won
a King's Scholarship at the R.A.M., and was
re-elected in 1852. He appeared for the first
tinre in public at the New Philharmonic Con-
cert, June 29, 1853, playing the solo part in
Mendelssohn's Pianoforte Concerto in D
joiinor. In 1856 he went to Leipzig, and
studied at the Conservatorium, under Haupt-
mann, Rietz, Plaidy, and Moscheles. He
played at the Gewandhai;s concerts, March 22,
1800, the D minor concerto of Mendelssohn.
At his reappearance in London, New Philhar-
monic, April 16, 1860, he was heard in Beet-
hoven's Concerto in E flat ; and at the Phil-
harmonic Concert, June 10, 1861, in that
composer's Concerto in C minor. He was
afterwards associated with Dr. Wylde as a
teacher of the pianoforte in the London
Academy of Music. In 1883, was appointed
a Professor R.A.M., and is F.R.A.M. and
Member of the Philharmonic Society. Was
for a time conductor of the Berkshire Musical
Society ; and conducted a Philharmonic con-
cert, April 23, 1884. First came into notice as
a composer by a Symphony produced by the
Musical Society of London, 1864 ; and receiv-
ing a commission for the Birmiughanr Festival
of 1807, he soon attained a prominent position
among the younger English composers.

[W] Works. — Cantatas : The Ancient Mariner
(Birmingham Festival, 1867) ; Paradise and
the Peri (the same, 1870) ; The Raising of
Lazarus (Oratorio, New Philharmonic, June
18, 1873 ; Hereford Festival, 1876) ; The Good
Shepherd (Brighton Festival, 1876) ; The
Building of the ship (Leeds Festival, 1880) ;
Ode, The triumph of labour (Crystal Palace,
August, 1888) ; The wishing bell. Cantata for
female voices (Norwich Festival, 1893). Part-
songs ; Songs, The Harp of Life ; The Golden
Gate, etc. Orchestral : Symphony in A minor
(1864) ; Symphonic Overture in E (Philhar-
monic, 1868) ; Overture, A Winter's tale
(British Orchestral Society, February 6, 1873) ;
Suite, The lay of the last minstrel (Liverpool
Festival, 1874) ; Symphonic Poem, The Har-
vest Festival (Norwich Festival, 1881 ; and
revised as a Pastoral Suite, Philharmonic,
May 31, 1888) ; Concerto in D minor, pf. and
orchestra ; The Ebbing tide ; Liebeslied, and
other smaller works for orchestra. Chamber
Music : Quintet in G minor ; Quartet in D
minor, strings ; Trio in C minor, pf. and
strings ; Sonata in G minor. Op. 41, pf. and
flute ; in E minor, pf. and violin. Pianoforte
solo : Sonata in E minor, Op. 45 ; Three Im-
promptus ; Home scenes, nine pieces ; Seven
characteristic studies ; and a large number of
shorter pieces, elegant in style and widely
popular. Offertoire in G and other organ
pieces.

entry id: 29-L-39