A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Willman, Thomas

by William Henry Husk

WILLMAN,^[1] Thomas Lindsay, the most celebrated of English clarinettists, was the son of a German who, in the latter half of the 18th century, came to England and became master of a military band. The time and place of the younger Willman's birth are unknown. After being a member of a military band and of various orchestras he became, about 1816, principal clarinet in the Opera and other chief orchestras, and also master of the Grenadier Guards' band. His tone and execution were remarkably beautiful, and his concerto-playing admirable. He died Nov. 28, 1840. His age was recorded in the register of deaths as 56, but, by comparison with his own statement made more than 8 years before, when he joined the Royal Society of Musicians, should have been 57. He is believed however to have been much older.

[ W. H. H. ]

1. His name was always spelt in English with one 'n,' but doubtless it had two originally.