Born in London, Thomas Attwood (1765-1838) was the son of a coal merchant who was also a trumpeter in the Royal Band of King George III. From the age of nine, Attwood was a chorister at the Chapel Royal, and in 1783 he was sent to study in Naples and Vienna under royal patronage, becoming a pupil of Mozart. He took up the position of Organist at St Paul’s Cathedral, as well as Composer of the Chapel Royal, in 1796. Attwood composed twenty-eight operas and much secular and theatrical work, alongside church services, anthems, hymns and psalm chants, many of which were compiled and published after his death by his godson and pupil (and former Organist of St John’s College) Thomas Attwood Walmisley. Attwood’s Grand Dirge of 1806 was played for the funeral of Lord Nelson, while his anthem I was glad was performed at the coronation of George IV, and subsequent coronations of William IV and Victoria.

from notes by John Challenger © 2022