A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Pratten, Robert

PRATTEN, Robert Sidney, a very distinguished English flute-player, born Jan. 23, 1824, at Bristol, where his father was a professor of music. The boy was considered a prodigy on the flute, and in his 12th year was much in request at the Concerts at Bath and Bristol. From thence he migrated to Dublin, where he played first flute at the Theatre Royal and musical societies. In 1846 he came to London, and was soon engaged as first flute at the Royal Italian Opera, the Sacred Harmonic and Philharmonic Societies, the Musical Society of London, Mr. Alfred Mellon's Concerts, etc. Through the kindness of the Duke of Cambridge, Mr. Pratten passed some time in Germany in the study of theory and composition, and became a clever writer for his instrument. His Concertstück and Fantasia on Marie Stuart are among the best of his productions. He died at Ramsgate, Feb. 10, 1868, beloved by a large circle. Mr. Pratten had a very powerful tone and remarkable power of execution. His ear was extraordinarily sensitive, and in consequence his intonation and the gradation of his nuances were perfect, though his taste was perhaps a trifle too florid. His widow is a well-known professor of the guitar.—His brother, Frederick Sidney Pratten was an eminent contrabassist, engaged in the same orchestras as himself. He died in London, Mar. 3, 1873.

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