Gehot Joseph Jean, *8 April 1756 Brussels, †ca. 1820 the United States, Dutch violinist, composer, and teacher active in England and the United States. After undertaking a concert tour through France and Germany, he settled in London in 1780, where he enjoyed a reputation of an outstanding virtuoso. Between 1787 and 1789 he staged several theatrical works at the Royal Grove and the Royal Circus. In 1792 Gehot emigrated to the United States, where he worked in Philadelphia as a violinist and conductor of the Philadelphia City Concerts, and later as a violinist in the orchestra of the New Theatre.
Gehot was distinguished by his melodic talent and inventiveness in the use of sound effects (trios Op. 3, quartets Op. 7). In the construction and phrasing of his works, the influence of Haydn is evident. His compositions of a virtuosic, display-oriented character (duets from Op. 9) today have mainly historical value as documents of the development of violin technique. His principal theoretical work is the three-part Treatise on the Theory…, in which he discusses issues of notation, harmony, counterpoint, and basso continuo.
Compositions:
Instrumental:
Ouverture in Twelve Movements, Expressive of a Voyage from England to America, London 1792 (lost)
violin concertos, London (lost)
chamber:
Six Quartettos for 2 violins, viola, and cello, Op. 1, London 1777
Six Trios for violin, viola, and cello, Op. 2, London ca. 1780
Six Easy Duettos for violin and cello, Op. 3, London ca. 1780
24 Military Pieces, Consisting of Marches, Minuets, Quick-movements… for 2 clarinets, 2 horns, and bassoon, Op. 4, London ca. 1780
Six Trios for 2 violins and obbligato cello, Op. 5, London 1781
Six Duettos for 2 violins, Op. 6, London ca. 1790
Six Quartets for 2 violins, viola, and cello, Op. 7, London ca. 1788
Six Duetts for violin and cello, Op. 9, London ca. 1790
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music for stage plays performed in London
Writings:
A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Music together with Scales of Every Musical Instrument, London 1784
The Art of Bowing the Violin, London ca. 1790
Complete Instruction for Every Musical Instrument, London ca. 1790 (reprint of fragments from the Treatise on the Theory…)
