Johann Wilhelm Hässler (1747-1822)
- Grand concert (G-Dur) pour le piano-forte avec accompagnement de
violons, alt, clarinettes, hautbois, bassons, cors, timbales,
violoncelle et contre-basse ... œuvre 50
Performers: Olga Martynova (fortepiano); Pratum Integrum; Pavel Serbin
(conductor)
Painting: Unknown artist (18th Century) - Moscow
Further info: Concertos G major
---
German organist, pianist and composer. Son of a capmaker, he learned and
long followed his father's trade. Nephew, and pupil on the pianoforte
and organ, of Johann Christian Kittel, who had been a pupil of Johann
Sebastian Bach, at the age of fourteen became organist in Erfurt and
while leading a wandering apprentice's life gave concerts. After his
father's death, in 1769, he maintained for some years a manufactory of
fur muffs. A meeting in Hamburg with Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach gave him a
fresh impetus toward continuing his musical activities. He gave
concerts as a pianist, and published several piano sonatas. On 8
February 1779, he married his pupil Sophie Kiel (1761-1844). In 1780 he
opened public winter concerts in Erfurt; his wife appeared there as a
singer and choral director. In 1789 he played in Berlin and Potsdam; in
Dresden he took part in a contest with Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as
organist and pianist, without producing much impression either on Mozart
himself or on the listeners. In 1790 he went to London, where he
performed piano concertos under the direction of Joseph Haydn. In 1792
he went to Russia, where he remained until his death. In Moscow he
became greatly renowned as a pianist, as a composer, and particularly as
a teacher. Most of his works were published there; these included
concertos, sonatas, preludes, variations, fantasies, and also pieces for
piano four-hands. His style represents a transition between Bach and
Beethoven, without attaining a degree of the imagination or
craftsmanship of either. However, his piano pieces in the lighter vein
have undeniable charm. His Grande gigue was well known. His daughter
Henriette Hässler (c.1790-1849) was a singer, later married to the
composer and conductor Carl Eberwein (1786-1868).
Cap comentari:
Publica un comentari a l'entrada