The early history of the piano is complex, with many lines of development, and the 'invention' by Cristofori at the end of the 17th century was only one of them.
Composer Biography
Johann Joachim Quantz (1697-1773), a composer and flutist, was one of Frederick the Great's favorite musicians and served as his flute teacher and musical adviser.
Historical Context
Frederick the Great, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach's employer, significantly expanded his court orchestra from 17 musicians in 1736 to 35 by the early 1740s, not including singers and dancers for the Berlin opera.
Composer Biography
When Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach joined the musical ensemble of Crown Prince Frederick (later Frederick II of Prussia) in 1738, Frederick was already building his musical establishment despite his father's disapproval.
Critical Reception
According to musical traveler Charles Burney, in Berlin, anyone who dared to profess musical tenets other than those of Graun and Quantz was sure to be persecuted.
Composer Biography
Carl Heinrich Graun (c.1704-1759), another favored composer of Frederick the Great, was known for his agreeable Italianate style and diplomatic personality.
Historical Context
Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach's compositional choices were influenced by the shifting musical world in Berlin, particularly the disruption caused by the Seven Years' War (1756-1763) initiated by his employer, Frederick the Great of Prussia.
