John Hebden

Full biography John Hebden

John Hebden (1712-1765) was an English composer and musician of the 18th century. He is best known for his compositions, especially his set of six concertos for strings, which he began writing in 1745. These concertos were later published as Opus 1 in 1759.

Hebden was born in Yorkshire and studied music in London. He was a prolific composer, producing many works for chamber ensembles, as well as keyboard and vocal music. His music is characterized by its lively and intricate melodies, as well as its use of imitation and counterpoint.

Hebden worked for a time as a musician in the Royal Household, where he played violin in the orchestra for George III and composed music for various court functions. In addition to his work as a court musician, he also performed in public concerts and taught music.

Hebden's music fell out of popularity after his death and was largely forgotten until the mid-20th century, when there was a renewed interest in the music of the Baroque and Classical periods. Today, his music is recognized for its quality and charm and is occasionally performed and recorded.

Overall, John Hebden was an important English composer of the 18th century, known for his highly skilled compositions and contributions to the music of his time.