A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Neate, Charles

NEATE, Charles, born in London, March 28, 1784, received his early musical education from William Sharp, and afterwards from John Field, with whom he had formed a close intimacy. Besides the pianoforte he performed on the violoncello, he and Field both being instructed on that instrument by Sharp. He first appeared in public as a pianist at Covent Garden at the Lent 'oratorios,' in 1800, and soon established a reputation as an excellent performer of the school of Clementi and Field. He studied composition under Woelfl, and in 1808 published his first work, a sonata in C minor. In 1813 he was one of the original members of the Philharmonic Society, of which he was for many years a director, often a performer, and occasionally conductor, at its concerts. His admiration of Beethoven induced him in 1815 to visit Vienna, where he remained for eight months, enjoying the friendship and profiting by the advice of the great composer. He then went to Munich, where he stayed five months, studying counterpoint under Winter. After an absence of two years he returned to England, and was long esteemed as one of the best performers upon, and teachers of the pianoforte. He was the first to introduce into England Beethoven's Concertos in C minor and E&#266d;, Weber's Concertstück, and Hummel's Concerto in E, and Septuor in D minor. He did not publish a second work until 1822, when he produced his sonata in D minor, and subsequently several other works; but notwithstanding his sound technical knowledge, he was not successful as a composer, as he lacked fancy and originality. He died at Brighton, March 30. 1877, having many years before retired from the exercise of his profession.

[ W. H. H. ]