James Brooks

James Brooks was an English violinist and composer who was born in Bath c. 1760 and died in London in December 1809.

Early life James Brooks must have been born around 1760 as he was declared to be 23 years old when he was recommended for admission to the Royal Society of Musicians in March 1783.

His father, John Brooks, was a violinist in Thomas Linley's band, MUSIC MEETING. ON Thurſday the 15th of October inſtant, will be a SACRED PERFORMANCE of Vocal and Inſtrumental MUSIC, in the Church at Trowbridge. — The muſic taken from the Oratorio of the Meſſhiah, with Mr. Handel's Coronation Anthems The King ſhall rejoice, and Zadock the Prieſt. The principal Vocal Parts by Miſs CANTELO, and Mr. CORFE from Saliſbury. The Firſt Violin by Mr. BROOKS, junr. The other parts of the inſtrumental band by the moſt approved performers in Bath, &c, and the Choruſes will be particularly full. The whole to be conducted Mr. HERSCHEL. —Service will begin at eleven o'clock. Particulars of the performance will be expreſſed in the bills and given with the tickets. — Tickets 2s. 6d. each to be had at the George Inn, at Trowbridge, and of Mr. BROOKS, King's-mead-ſtreet, Bath.

BATH SPRING-GARDENS VAUXHALL. ON Wednesday next, the 2d of June, will be the Firſt MUSICAL EVENING's ENTERTAINMENT, with illuminations and improvements, after the manner of Vauxhall, London. The principal vocal part by Miſs Cantelo, Mrs. Higgins, and Mr. Du-Bellamy; the firſt violin by Mr. Brooks, jun. a concerto on the clarionet [sic.] by Mr. Alexander Herſchel, and the direction of the muſic by Mr. Herſchel, fen. This entertainment will be divided into three acts, the firſt of which will begin it ſeven o'clock. Ticket! to be had it the gate of the Gardens, and at Miſs Purdie's Perfume-ſhop, top of the North Parade, at 1s. each. Public Tea and Spring-Gardens every Saturday Evening when the wheather is fine, attended with French-Horns and Clarionets [sic.]. Admittance 1s. which entitles the bearer to Tea or Coffee.

By his twenties, James Brooks, it seems, had already made quite a place for himself in the community of Bathonian musicians. On Thursday 11 May 1780 he is once again listed as band leader in a special event, as advertised by the Bath Chronicle and Weekly Gazette: Miſs CANTELO moſt reſpectfully informs the Nobility, Gentry, and her Friends in particular, that her BREAKFAST CONCERT of Vocal and Inſtrumental MUSIC, will be at Mr. Gyde's Rooms on Monday the 15th May inſtant. The vocal parts by Miſs Cantelo, Mr. Griffin, Mr Stevens, &c. the firſt violin by Mr. Brooks, jun. and the harpſichord by Mr. Markordt. The words of the songs, glees and catches, will be given at the door the morning of performance. Clarinets and Horns during breakfast, which will be on the table at ten o'clock; the Concert to begin at half paſt eleven. Tickets to be had at Mr Gyde's Rooms, Pump-Room, and of Miſs Cantelo in Orchard-ſtreet, at 3s. 6d. each, Breakfast included.

He played a concerto of his own composition in a concert in Bath on 23 April 1782 which includes two songs composed by Brooks: As when some Maiden in her Teens, sung by Mr Burkitt, at the Commemoration of Handel (Handel Memorial Concerts at Westminster Abbey and the Pantheon from 26 May to 5 June 1784) for which a total of 493 performers were gathered together. He received positive reviews during his time there; the writer John Feltham for instance said of Brooks that:

The score of the song "'Twas on the Severn Sedgy Margin." Sung by Mrs. Seconds. At the Bath Concerts. Composed by Mr. Brooks. Price 1s. London, Printed and Sold by Preston & Son, at their Wholesale Warehouses, 97 Strand., including a separate part for "German Flute" (i.e., transverse flute). In 1804, when George III suffered another bout of his illness, James Brooks composed an hymn for the sovereign's recovery. ) and £2 12s 6d monthly (£122.13 in today's money Thirty six select Pieces for a military band (c.1796) (possibly composed for Vauxhall)

Chamber music Three duets for two violins, op.3 Two Duetts for One Performer on the Violin, op.4 (c.1802) Twelve English Ballads, adapted for the Piano Forte, & Harp, with an Accompaniment (ad libitum) for a Flute or Violin, op.5 (published c.1800 or 1805 )Nocturne for the Pianoforte and Violoncello, Violin or Flute. (published posthumously) Sonata, for the Piano Forte in which is introduced the favorite air of "When forc'd from dear Hebe to go" (by Thomas Arne) with an accompaniment for the violin (c.1805)

Vocal music Glees and Madrigals: Twelve Glees for Three & Four Voices (c.1796) A Second Sett of Twelve Glees for Three & Four Voices. (c.1798) Dimpled Pleasure Songs and ballads, The Shepherd's daughter Sally Three cheers to the man who first planted the vine (published posthumously) Louisa (1788) Young Damon was a Shepherd Boy (c.1800) The Tambourine (c.1800) A bonny soldier's bride I'll be (1803) Our King and ourselves (1803) Henry The Vine, a favorite Bacchanalian Song (1808) for Vauxhall Gardens: William and Ann (published by Lewis, Houston & Hyde, c.1795 or 1797) Damon and Phillis. Pastoral Dialogue (c.1800) Ere my dear Laddie gade to Sea (c.1800) When Britains Sons to Arms are led (c.1800) How sweetly did the Moments pass. (c.1800) Stage works: In The Lovers Device, the songs: Now Home again from foreign Climes, As when some Maiden in her Teens. When the trumpet to battle shall call (c.1800-05)

Religious music Hymn supplicating the Restoration of our Beloved Sovereign's Health (1804)

Discography

The Violin Concerto No.1 in D is available on:

English Classical Violin Concertos, Elizabeth Wallfisch, The Parley of Instruments, Peter Holman (Helios, CDH55260, 2008)