27 March 1709 – 5 January 1798) was an 18th-century bookseller, publisher, amateur organist, viola player and composer.
The Solos for a Tenor Violin are intended to shew that Instrument in a more conspicuous Manner, than it has hitherto been accustomed; the Part generally allotted to it being little more than a dull Ripiano, an Accessory or Auxiliary, to fill up or compleat the Harmony in Full Pieces of MUSIC; though it must be allowed, that at some particular Times, it has been permitted to accompany a Song, and likewise to lead in a Fugue; yet even then, it is assisted by one, or more Instruments in the Unisons or Octaves, to prevent, if possible, its being distinguished from any other Instrument; or, if it happens to be heard but in so small a Space as a Bar or two, 'tis quickly overpowered again with a Crowd of Instruments and lost in Chorus.
Such is the Present State of this Fine Toned Instrument, owing, in some Measure, to the Want of Solos, and other Pieces of MUSIC, properly adapted to it.
The Author takes this Opportunity of acknowledging his particular Obligations to Mr. ABEL, for inspecting this Work in Manuscript before it went to the Press; the Publication of which, it is hoped, may be productive of other Works of this Kind from more able Hands, and establish a higher Veneration and Taste for this excellent, tho' too much neglected Instrument.
One of the more significant of Flackton's church compositions is Hymns for Three Voices which was composed in support of the Sunday school movement.