A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Birchall, Robert

by Robert Edward Lonsdale

BIRCHALL, Robert, music-publisher, etc., said to have been apprenticed to Randall, the successor of Walsh, established a musical circulating library about 1784, prior to which he had been associated in business with Beardmore and also with Andrewes, successively at 129, 133 & 140 New Bond Street. He managed the celebrated series of Antient Concerts and most of the Benefit Concerts of those golden days. Birchall published many of Beethoven's works, including the original English editions of 'The Battle Symphony,' dedicated to the Prince Regent, in 1816, the Sonata op. 96, the Trio op. 97, an adaptation for the Pianoforte of Symphony No. 7—the copyrights of which he purchased from the composer. Beethoven's letters arranging for these, in queer English, and still queerer French, will be found in Nohl's two collections, Briefe, and Neue Briefe. After amassing a large fortune Birchall died in 1819, and was succeeded by Lonsdale & Mills. Mr. Samuel Chappell, the founder of the well-known firm at 50 New Bond Street, was originally at Birchall's. The catalogue of the house contains the celebrated collections formed by Latrobe, Mozart's operas, and an immense collection of standard works by the greatest composers and performers of the day.

[ R. E. L. ]