John Mahon (composer)

John Mahon (also Mahone, Mahoon; 1749–1834) was an Irish composer, clarinetist, violinist, and viola player.[1]

Life

Mahon was born in Oxford into an Irish family of musicians.[2] His father William Mahon[2] is thought to have gone to Oxford from Salisbury in the 1740s[2] and to have been an orchestral player in the Holywell Music Room.[2] His siblings were James Mahon, William Mahon, and Sarah Mahon, who were likewise musicians.[2]

View of the Holywell Music Room (2008)

Mahon performed his clarinet debut at the Holywell Music Room,[1] Oxford, in 1772 with a clarinet concerto. Mahon was a member of the Oxford Volunteers Band.[2] In 1773 he played in London and by 1777 he moved in with his brother William Mahon to live there.[2] In London, John appeared at Covent Garden,[1] Hanover Square,[2] the Haymarket,[2] the Pantheon,[2] and the Ranelagh.[2] John made several lengthy visits to his hometown of Dublin during his life.[2] In 1783 he became a member of the Royal Society of Musicians and played at the annual benefit concerts at St. Paul's Cathedral in May 1794, 1795, and 1797.[2] Mahon married Margaret Perry in Dublin (30 June 1792).[2] John Mahon had many financial troubles in 1814.[2] The Royal Society of Musicians illustrated his difficulties stating he was "infirm" and requested relief, in which he was granted £40. On 6 October 1816, Mahon sent word that he had received a serious wound in his left hand, which would take two to three months to cure and was granted an additional £30.[2] Mahon eventually retired to Dublin in 1825.[2]

Mahon died in Dublin,[1] in January 1834, due to ill health. Mrs. Mahon was granted £1 per month survivor's assistance plus £8 for her own eventual funeral expenses.

Compositions
  • Concerto for Clarinet No. 2 in F Major[3]
  • Duets (4) for 2 Clarinets: No. 4 in B Flat Major[3]
  • Duets (4) for 2 Clarinets: No. 1 in F Major[3]

References
  1. "Mahon family". Grove Music Online. Retrieved 22 July 2020.
  2. A Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers and Other Stage Personnel in London, 1660–1800. pp.56–57
  3. "John Mahon". Arkivmusic.com. Retrieved 22 July 2020.

Further reading
  • A Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers and Other Stage Personnel in London, 1660–1800. pp. 56–57
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