William Dance (20 December 1755 – 5 June 1840) was an English

pianist A pianist ( , ) is an individual musician who plays the piano. Since most forms of Western music can make use of the piano, pianists have a wide repertoire and a wide variety of styles to choose from, among them traditional classical music, ja ...

and

violin The violin, sometimes known as a '' fiddle'', is a wooden chordophone ( string instrument) in the violin family. Most violins have a hollow wooden body. It is the smallest and thus highest-pitched instrument ( soprano) in the family in regu ...

ist.

Life

William Dance was the grandson of the architect George Dance (c.1694–1768). His father was the actor James Dance (1721–1774) and his mother may have been James' wife Elizabeth or the actress Mrs Love. Dance studied the piano under Theodore Aylward the elder (1730–1801) and the violin under Charles Frederick Baumgarten. He later studied with the renowned Felice Giardini. Dance played violin in the orchestra at the

Theatre Royal, Drury Lane The Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, commonly known as Drury Lane, is a West End theatre and Grade I listed building in Covent Garden, London, England. The building faces Catherine Street (earlier named Bridges or Brydges Street) and backs onto Dr ...

from 1771 to 1774 and in the King's Theatre orchestra 1775–1793. He was lead violinist at the Haymarket Theatre during the summer seasons (1784–90) and at the Handel commemoration in Westminster Abbey in 1790. Dance was not regarded as a soloist on the violin, however William Thomas Parke praised his "''great taste and execution''" on the piano. Around 1800 he gave up public performances and became a notable teacher of music in London. In 1813 Dance proposed a meeting that led to the foundation of the

Philharmonic Society The Royal Philharmonic Society (RPS) is a British music society, formed in 1813. Its original purpose was to promote performances of instrumental music in London. Many composers and performers have taken part in its concerts. It is now a membe ...

. He became a director and the treasurer of the society until his death. Around 1812 he noticed

Michael Faraday Michael Faraday (; 22 September 1791 – 25 August 1867) was an English scientist who contributed to the study of electromagnetism and electrochemistry. His main discoveries include the principles underlying electromagnetic inducti ...

, then a bright but unknown young assistant at a Southwark bookshop who was interested in self-improvement and science. Dance mentored him by providing tickets for him to attend lectures at the Royal Institution.Correspondence of Michael Faraday

Published works

*''Six Lessons for the Harpsichord or Piano-Forte'', dated about 1780 * Several later editions, songs, preludes, fantasias, variations, and numerous piano sonatas, including op. 4 (1805).

References

William Dance
Brief biography at the National Portrait Gallery, London. Accessed January 2009 * ''The Correspondence of Michael Faraday'' By Michael Faraday, Frank A. J. L. James, Published by IET, 1991

1755 births 1840 deaths English violinists English classical pianists {{UK-music-bio-stub