Charles Henry Wilton

Charles Henry Wilton (1761–1832) was an English violin ist, singer, composer and teacher of violin and piano.

Biography Wilton was born in Gloucester (England) on 15 June 1761 and died on 15 August 1832 in Southport (Lancashire, England). A brief account of his life appears in recent editions of The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians and there is also a brief mention in the Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers and Other Stage Personnel in London, 1660–1800.

Gloucester is one home of the Three Choirs Festival and, as a young man, Wilton studied the violin under Felice Giardini, the leader of the festival orchestra. During the late 1770s His place of residence is unknown but he was active in London at this time—he is recorded as the leader of the orchestra for a performance of the oratorio Judith at the Haymarket theatre, London, on 13 March 1785.

There are many other song settings.

Recordings

Three of the six duets of Opus 2 have been recorded (as trios) with an additional bass continuo. They are coupled with a septet by Hummel on a disc available from Forgotten records.

A setting of Psalm 12 is included in a collection of psalm settings by the Choir of King's College Cambridge.

One of the Piano Sonatas is included (with incorrect dates) as the first piece in the series Classics to Moderns by Dénes Ágay. A free score is available. This popular piece has many YouTube recordings, some with interesting variations (, ).