On one of his many trips through Central Europe to secure a position in a renowned orchestra, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart landed in Mannheim on October 30, 1777. The city enjoyed an intense musical life under the patronage of Elector Carl Theodor, and its orchestra was one of the best in Germany, so the 21-year-old Mozart's aspirations could not have been better directed. Unfortunately, despite befriending several musicians in the orchestra, including the Konzertmeister, the answer was the usual: "there was no place for him at the moment".
Mannheim School
A pity. Because if there had been "room", the famous orchestral ensemble that became a school under the title of Mannheim School could have increased its glory even more, when looking back and being able to say that among its members there was the most brilliant composer in history.
Not so, but the German composers and musicians who wrote music for Carl Theodor's court from the middle of the 18th century until the end of the classical era, did blaze a trail. Among them, the Czech violinist and composer Johann Stamitz stands out.
Not so, but the German composers and musicians who wrote music for Carl Theodor's court from the middle of the 18th century until the end of the classical era, did blaze a trail. Among them, the Czech violinist and composer Johann Stamitz stands out.
Johann Stamitz, an innovator
Little is known about his life, other than he was born in Nemecky Brod (Bohemia) in mid-June 1717 and that he took lessons from his father. Whatever his path may have been, in 1742 we see him become a respected violinist in the Mannheim orchestra.
To Johann Stamitz, for example, we owe the modern structure of the symphonic genre structured in four movements. Add to this the construction of the first movement with the structure of what later became known as "sonata form", with the first theme, second, development, and recapitulation.
After a few years, he was appointed its conductor. It was under his leadership that the orchestra became so renowned, for the Czech composer's innovations played an important role in the development of the symphony as a genre.
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| Johann Stamitz (1717 - 1757) |
To Johann Stamitz, for example, we owe the modern structure of the symphonic genre structured in four movements. Add to this the construction of the first movement with the structure of what later became known as "sonata form", with the first theme, second, development, and recapitulation.
Stamitz died in Mannheim very young, at the age of 39. His musician sons, Carl and Anton, will continue the task.
Movements:
The oeuvre
During his short life, in addition to the obligatory sacred music, Stamitz produced about 72 symphonies, ten orchestral trios, and numerous concertos for solo instrument.
Among the latter, the Clarinet Concerto in B-flat major stands out. A large part of the original manuscripts have been lost, so it is impossible to date its composition, let alone venture a "premiere" date, other than the unknown date when Carl Theodor, the Elector, heard it for the first time.
Among the latter, the Clarinet Concerto in B-flat major stands out. A large part of the original manuscripts have been lost, so it is impossible to date its composition, let alone venture a "premiere" date, other than the unknown date when Carl Theodor, the Elector, heard it for the first time.
Movements:
(tempi are in brackets because the composer did not indicate them)
00 [Allegro]
07:54 [Andante sostenuto]
12:04 [Rondo (Poco allegro)]
The performance is by the Chinese artist Jaehee Choi, accompanied by the New Fine Arts Project Orchestra.
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