Hook, James

James Hook (1746-1827) was an English composer and organist. He showed remarkable musical talent from an early age, beginning to play the harpsichord at the age of four, performing publicly at the age of six, and beginning to perform and give concerts regularly at the age of ten. He earned his money through many jobs, teaching music, composing and transcribing music, and tuning keyboard instruments. He specialized mainly in composing light entertainment music for garden festivals, but he also wrote organ concertos, oratorios, and several theatrical works.