A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Pratt, John

by William H. Husk

PRATT, John, son of Jonas Pratt, musicseller and teacher, was born at Cambridge in 1772. In 1780 he was admitted a chorister of King's College. After quitting the choir he became a pupil of, and deputy for, Dr. Randall, the college organist, and on his death in March 1799 was appointed his successor. In September following he was appointed organist to the University, and in 1813 organist of St. Peter's College. He composed several services and anthems. He published 'A Collection of Anthems, selected from the works of Handel, Haydn, Mozart, Clari, Leo and Carissimi' (an adaptation to English words of detached movements from the masses, etc. of those composers), and a selection of psalm and hymn tunes entitled 'Psalmodia Cantabrigiensis.' He died March 9, 1855, possessed of a good local reputation.

[ W. H. H. ]