The British Musical Biography

[E] Thomson, John, composer, conductor,
and professor, born at Sprouston, Roxbi;rgh,
October 28, 1805. Son of the Rev. Andrew
M. Thomson. Became acquainted with Men-
delssohn in Edinburgh, and renewed his
acquaintance at Leipzig, where he studied
under Schnyder von Wartensee. Returned to
Edinburgh, and in 1839 became first Reid
Professor of Music at the University. Con-
ducted the first Reid Concert, February 12,
1841, at which for the first time analytical
programmes were used. He died at Edin-
burgh, May G, ISil.

[W] Works. — Operas : Hermann, or the Broken
Spear, London, 1834 ; The House of Aspen,
London, 1834 ; The Shadow on the Wall,
London, 1835. Vocal Melodies of Scot-
land, with symphonies and accompaniments
by John Thomson and Finlay Dun, Edin-
burgh [1836], n.d. ; New Edition, 1880.
Minuetto for pf. and flute ; Capriccio for pf.
and violin. Bagatelle, 1831; Divertimento
(duet); Polonaises; and waltzes for pf. Songs:
Arab to his steed ; Blow light, thou balmy air ;
Cleveland's farewell to Minna ; Die tanti mci
tormenti ; Farewell, my love ; If here still I
linger ; Lady ! awake ; Love, art thou waking
or sleeping ? ; Love wakes and weejjs ; The
merrj' moonlight hour; Midnight Dream ; 0,
cauld to me ; ! sweet be your slumbers ; The
pirate's serenade ; Poor Camilla ; Song of
Harold Harfager; Song of the Rhenish peasant ;
Song of the Spanish maid ; The Savoyard's
return ; Where art thou ? ; Zara ! art thou
sleeping ? ; etc.

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