John Mahon (composer)

John Mahon (also Mahone, Mahoon; 1749–1834) was an Irish composer, clarinetist, violinist, and viola player.^[1]

Mahon was born in Oxford into an Irish family of musicians.^[2] His father William Mahon^[2] is thought to have gone to Oxford from Salisbury in the 1740s^[2] and to have been an orchestral player in the Holywell Music Room.^[2] His siblings were James Mahon, William Mahon, and Sarah Mahon, who were likewise musicians.^[2]

Mahon performed his clarinet debut at the Holywell Music Room,^[1] Oxford, in 1772 with a clarinet concerto. Mahon was a member of the Oxford Volunteers Band.^[2] In 1773 he played in London and by 1777 he moved in with his brother William Mahon to live there.^[2] In London, John appeared at Covent Garden,^[1] Hanover Square,^[2] the Haymarket,^[2] the Pantheon,^[2] and the Ranelagh.^[2] John made several lengthy visits to his hometown of Dublin during his life.^[2] In 1783 he became a member of the Royal Society of Musicians and played at the annual benefit concerts at St. Paul's Cathedral in May 1794, 1795, and 1797.^[2] Mahon married Margaret Perry in Dublin (30 June 1792).^[2] John Mahon had many financial troubles in 1814.^[2] The Royal Society of Musicians illustrated his difficulties stating he was "infirm" and requested relief, in which he was granted £40. On 6 October 1816, Mahon sent word that he had received a serious wound in his left hand, which would take two to three months to cure and was granted an additional £30.^[2] Mahon eventually retired to Dublin in 1825.^[2]

Mahon died in Dublin,^[1] in January 1834, due to ill health. Mrs. Mahon was granted £1 per month survivor's assistance plus £8 for her own eventual funeral expenses.

• Concerto for Clarinet No. 2 in F Major^[3]
• Duets (4) for 2 Clarinets: No. 4 in B Flat Major^[3]
• Duets (4) for 2 Clarinets: No. 1 in F Major^[3]

• A Biographical Dictionary of Actors, Actresses, Musicians, Dancers, Managers and Other Stage Personnel in London, 1660–1800. pp. 56–57

• Free scores by John Mahon (composer) at the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP)
• Mahon family
• John Mahon
• Mahon Clarinet CDH55261 [SH]: Classical CD Reviews - December 2006 MusicWeb-International
• Oxford Music