The Oxford Mail’s April Fools’ Day wheeze that Crotch Crescent in Oxford was to be renamed because it was “too rude” caught at least one reader by surprise.
He or she was angered by the ‘decision’ but wondered why it was so named in the first place.
It recalls one of the most talented musicians to have graced the city and university - and, many will be relieved to know, won’t become ‘Crotchet Crescent’ as the Mail jokingly claimed.
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William Crotch was born in 1775, died in 1847 and was described as a “real musical genius”.
He is said to have played God Save the King on an organ built by his father when he was just two-and-a-half years old.
For several years, ‘Little Crotch’ or ‘Master Crotch’, as he was known, exhibited his skills in public, performing in London when he was only four.
Other performances he gave at a tender age included one at what is now the Holywell Music Room in Oxford.
The Music Room had been erected in the 1740s but, in its early years, it had “a fluctuating existence”.
According to one report, “in order to support the attempt to revive and keep up the languishing Music Room, Master Crotch, the Musical Prodigy, was engaged to play a concerto on the organ at the regular weekly concerts held there”.
Details of the musical prodigy’s life appear in The Origins of Oxford Street Names, a book compiled by former Lord Mayor of Oxford Ann Spokes Symonds and Nigel Morgan.
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Crotch was born in Norwich and studied at Cambridge in 1786 and then at Oxford in 1788.
He stayed in the city, playing the organ at Christ Church from 1790 to 1807.
He was appointed Professor of Music at Oxford in 1797, a post he held for 10 years.
After leaving Oxford, he became first principal of the Academy of Music. He composed two oratorios of note and gave lectures on music. Crotch Crescent at Marston was named after him in 1937.
Authors Ann Spokes Symonds and Nigel Morgan comment in their book: “Although from time to time people question whether this name might be changed because of its connotations, it is good that Oxford is able to commemorate this childhood prodigy who brought such pleasure to lovers of music.”
Even if the name had been changed, at least Crotchet Crescent would have retained its musical connections!
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The Holywell Music Room, where young William Crotch performed, is said to be the oldest purpose-built music room in Europe and Britain’s first concert hall.
The building in Holywell Street, now part of Wadham College, cost £1,263 10s to build, equivalent to about £2.5 million today.
The auditorium seats 200 and includes an organ built in Holland probably in the 1800s.
The acoustics are ideal for music and the room is the venue for a wide range of performances
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