The British Musical Biography

[E] Burney, Charles, author, organist, and
composer, was born at Shrewsbury, April 7th,
1726. He was the son of James and Anne
Macburney, and was baptized as such on May
5th, 1726. He never used the prefix Mac.
Educated at the Free School, Shrewsbury,
and at Chester Public School. He studied
music under Baker, organist of Chester Cathe-
dral, and in London under Dr. Arne, 1744-
47. Organist of St. Dionis Back-Church,
Penchurch Street, Loudon, 1749 Harpsi-
chord player at the subscription concerts.
King's Arms, Cornhill. Organist at Lynn-
Regis, Norfolk, 1751-60. Bac. and Doc. of
Music, Oxford, 1769. He travelled in Italy,
1770, and returned to London, 1771. He
also travelled in Germany, the Netherlands,
etc., during 1772. Elected Fellow of Royal
Society, 1773. Organist of Chelsea College,
1783. In 1806 he received a pension of £300
from Fox, and in 1810 he was made member
of the Institute of France. He died at Chel-
sea, April 12th, 1814.

[W] Works. — Translation of Signor Tartini's
Letter to Signor Lombardini, published as an
important lesson to performers on the violin,
London, 1771. The Present state of music in
France and Italy, or the jourrial of a tour
through those countries, undertaken to collect
materials for a general historj' of music,
London, 1771. Tlie Present state of music in
Germany, the Netherlands, and United Prov-
inces, or the journal of a tour through those
countries, undertaken to collect materials for
a general history of music, London, 1773.
2 vols. A General History of music, from
the earliest ages to the present period,
to which is prefixed a dissertation on the
music of the ancients, London, four vols.,
1776-1789. An account of the musical per-
formances in Westminster Abbey and the
Pantheon, May 26th, 27th, 29th, and June
the 3rd and 5th, 1784, in commemoration of
Handel, London, 1785; Dublin edition, 1785.
A pajDer on Crotch, the infant musician, pre-
sented to the Royal Societj', Transactions,
1779. Striking views of Lamia, the celebrated
flute-player, Massachusset's Magazine, 1786.
Memoirs of the life and writings of the Abbate
Metastasio, in which are incorporated trans-
latioos of his principal letters, London,
3 vols., 1796. A plan for a music school,
London, 1774. An essay towards the history
of comets, London, 1769. Articles on music
in Ree'sEncyclopfedia. Sonata for two violins
and a bass, 1765. Six concert pieces, with
an introduction for the diapasons and fugue
proper for young organists and practitioners
on the harpsichord. Twelve canzonets from
Metastasio. Six duets for the German flute.
Six concertos for the violin, in eight parts.
Two sonatas for pf., violin, and 'cello. Six
harpsichord lessons. Two sonatas for harp
or pf., with acconip. for violin or 'cello. An-
thems, glees, instrumental music, etc.

[+] Burney is best known to musicians of the
present day by his " History of music ; " a
work of much learning and ability. It is
written in a pleasant style, but its historical
value is somewhat destroyed by a vexatious
absence of dates. He has given much space
to the glorification of forgotten Italian com-
posers, and comparatively little to the more
interesting musicians of other nationalities.
Tiie " History " is less valuable than that of
Hawkins, though much superior to it from a
literary poini of view. His most successful
musical effort was an adaptation of Rousseau's
"Devin du Village," produced under the title
of " The cunning man." His daughter
Frances was the Madame D'Arblay of English
literary renown. It may further be added
that Burnej' was one of the most esteemed
organists of his time. His brother James
(born 1709 ; died 1789), was organist at
Shrewsbury for many years.

entry id: 70-R-14