Neate, Charles

1784-1877

 

English pianist and composer. A member of the Royal Society of Musicians, 1806; one of the original members of the Philharmonic Society in 1813, at whose concerts he was often a performer and occasionally conductor, and was first to introduce to England Beethoven's piano concertos in C minor and E flat, Weber's Concertstück, and Rummers concerto in E and septour in D minor. Born in London and received his early instruction on the piano and violoncello from William Sharp and John Field. He later studied composition under Woelfl. In 1815 he visited Vienna, met Beethoven and profited by his advice, and then went to Munich for study under Winter. Neate was esteemed as a pianist and teacher in England, though his compositions never met with any great success, as they lacked fancy and originality. They include sonatas, fantasias, trios, etc. He published an essay on Fingering and General Observations on Piano Playing in 1855. Neate retired from his profession several years before his death, which took place at Brighton.