Christoph Schaffrath (1709-1763)
- CONCERTO (Es-Dur) | con | Cembalo Obligato
| 1. Violino | 2. Violino | Viola | et | Violoncello
Performers: Armin Thаlhеim (harpsichord); Händеlfеstspiеlorchester Des Opernhauses Halle;
Howard Armаn (conductor)
Further info: Christoph Schaffrath - Orchestral works
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German theoretician, keyboardist and composer. According to early
biographical information, he received his earliest training on the
harpsichord at the age of 9, probably in Dresden, which was close to his
birthplace. By 1730 he was a keyboardist in the Polish Kapelle of
August II, and when this was dissolved he moved briefly to Slawuta in
Poland (now in Ukraine) to become a musician at the court of Prince
Sangusko-Lubatowicz of Lithuania. By 1733 he unsuccessfully sought the
position of organist at the Frauenkirche in Dresden but accepted a
position with Crown Prince Frederick of Prussia at Rheinsberg. He was
made principal accompanist in 1740 upon his patron ascending the
Prussian throne, and in 1744 he accepted a lifelong position as musician
to Frederick II’s sister, Princess Anna Amalia, to whom he dedicated
his first published set of keyboard sonatas (Op.1) in 1746. Schaffrath
was a competent and prolific composer who focused almost entirely upon
instrumental works. His music includes 20 overtures or symphonies (all
for strings, but with a few woodwinds on occasion); 72 concertos for the
harpsichord; eight concertos for two harpsichords, violin, flute, and
oboe (and others for flute, oboe, bassoon, and viola da gamba that have
been lost); 30 trio sonatas, 40 sonatas for a single instrument and
keyboard; and around 40 sonatas for keyboard alone. As a member of the
Berlin School, he wrote in a mixture of galant and the older
contrapuntal styles, though his formats often use contrasting themes and
triplet figurations.
