A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Langshaw, John

by William H. Husk

LANGSHAW, John, was employed about 1761, under the direction of John Christopher Smith, in setting music upon the barrels of an organ, of much larger size than had been theretofore used for barrels, then being constructed for the Earl of Bute, which he did 'in so masterly a manner that the effect was equal to that produced by the most finished player.' In 1772 he became organist of the parish church of Lancaster, and died in 1798.

His son, John, was born in London in 1763, in 1779 became a pupil of Charles Wesley, and in 1798 succeeded his father as organist at Lancaster. He composed many hymns, chants, organ voluntaries, pianoforte concertos, songs and duets, and made numerous arrangements for the pianoforte.

[ W. H. H. ]