A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Thomson, John

by George Grove

THOMSON, John, first Professor of Music at Edinburgh University, was the son of an eminent clergyman, and was born at Ednam, Kelso, Oct. 28, 1805. His father afterwards became minister of St. George's Church, Edinburgh. He made the acquaintance of Mendelssohn during the visit of the latter to Edinburgh in the summer of 1829, and showed him much attention, which Mendelssohn requited by a warm letter of introduction to his family in Berlin, in which he says of Thomson^[1] 'he is very fond of music; I know a pretty trio of his composition and some local pieces which please me very well' (ganz gut gefallen). During his visit to Germany he studied at Leipzig, kept up his friendship with Mendelssohn, and made the intimate acquaintance of Schumann, Moscheles, and other musicians, and of Schnyder von Wartensee, whose pupil he became. In 1839 he was elected the first Reid Professor at Edinburgh, a result which was doubtless not uninfluenced by the warm testimonials from his Leipzig friends which he submitted. He gave the first Reid Concert on Feb. 12, 1841, and the book of words contains analytical remarks by him on the principal pieces probably the first instance of such a thing. Thomson died May 6, 1841, deeply lamented. He wrote three operas or dramatic pieces, 'Hermann, or the Broken Spear,' 'The House of Aspen,' and 'The Shadow on the Wall.' The last two were brought out at the Royal English Opera (Lyceum), on Oct. 27, 1834, and April 21, 1835 respectively, and had each a long run. Two of his songs, 'Harold Harfager,' and 'The Pirates' Serenade,' are mentioned as spirited and original.

[ G. ]

1. He spells the name Thompson, but it must surely be the same man. See 'Die Familie Mendelssohn,' i. 243.