A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Felton, William

FELTON, Rev. William, born 1713, vicar-choral of Hereford Cathedral in the middle of the 18th century, was distinguished in his day as a composer for, and performer on, the organ and harpsichord. He published three sets of concertos for those instruments in imitation of those of Handel. Burney, in the life of Handel prefixed to his account of the Commemoration, relates, on the authority of Abraham Brown, the violinist, a droll anecdote of Felton's unsuccessful attempt, through Brown, to procure the name of Handel as a subscriber to the second set of these concertos. Felton also published two or three sets of lessons for the same instruments. He was one of the stewards of the Meeting of the Three Choirs at Hereford 1744, and at Gloucester 1745. 'Felton's Gavot' was long highly popular. He died Dec. 6, 1769.

[ W. H. H. ]