Johannes Schenck (1660-c.1712)
- Sonata (II, a-moll) für Viola da gamba und Basso continuo aus
'L'Echo de Danube' (c.1704)
Performers: Sarah Cunningham (viola da gamba); Mitzi Meyerson (harpsichord)
Further info: Música temprana de los Países Bajos 1700-1800
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Dutch composer and viol player of German descent. Although the details
of his musical education are unknown, in 1680 he married his compatriot
Geertuyd Hamen van Vianen and in 1687 published in Amsterdam his first
work for the theatre, 'Bacchus, Ceres en Venus', which is considered the
first example of singspiel in the history of his country. In those last
years, he alternated between works on religious themes and profane
works. His first publications, most of them printed at Estienne Roger’s
workshop, were financially supported by influential businessmen and
nobles who made possible the distribution of his work, thus becoming
known to the public, and which consolidated his reputation as, perhaps,
the greatest composer of his country in the second half of the 17th
century. In about 1696 his fame secured him a post at the Düsseldorf
court of the Elector Palatine Johann Wilhelm II, himself an amateur viol
player. Schenck's career developed there as a court official too,
culminating in 1710 in an appointment as 'chamber councillor'. He was
thus present at the coronation in 1711 of Emperor Charles VI at
Frankfurt. After 1712, his trace was lost. As a composer, his viol music
constitutes one of the most important repertories composed for the
instrument. It faithfully reflects the important stylistic changes
taking place in northern Europe at the time, which may not always have
worked to Schenck's advantage as a composer. Schenck's viol music
culminated in 'Le nymphe di Rheno' and 'L'echo du Danube'. The former
consists of duets for two equal viols, in which the relatively modest
technical demands may reflect the level of the dedicatee, Schenck's
employer Johann Wilhelm. In the six ambitious sonatas of 'L'echo du
Danube' the influence of modern Italian string sonatas is prominent.
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