Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Cudmore, Richard
CUDMORE, RICHARD (1787–1840), musician, born at Chichester in 1787, developed a talent for music at a very early age. His first instructor was James Forgett, a local organist, under whom he learnt the violin, acquiring such proficiency that at the age of nine he played a solo at a concert in his native town. About 1797 he was placed under Reinagle, and shortly afterwards became a pupil of Salomon, with whom he studied the violin for two years. In 1799 he led the band at the Chichester theatre, and in the same year was engaged as a first violin for the Italian Opera band. He returned, however, before long to Chichester, where he remained until 1808, when he came to London, studied the pianoforte under Woelfl, and appeared as a solo pianist and violinist at the principal concerts. He also became a member of the Philharmonic orchestra. Shortly afterwards Cudmore settled in Manchester, where for many years he led the Gentlemen's Concerts. He was also often engaged at Liverpool, where on one occasion he played at a concert a violin concerto by Rode, a pianoforte concerto by Kalkbrenner, and a violoncello concerto by Cervetto. The ease with which he played at sight was considered very wonderful; he also was in some repute as a composer of concertos, &c., for his various instruments. His best work was an oratorio, ‘The Martyr of Antioch,’ on Milman's poem of the same name. Selections from this were performed at Birmingham and Manchester, and the work was published by subscription. Cudmore died at Wilton Street, Oxford Road, Manchester, 29 Dec. 1840. He left a widow and family.
[Dict. of Musicians, 1827; Musical World, 21 Jan. 1841; Manchester Guardian, 2 Jan. 1841.]