Johann Stamitz, the composer, was praised by Ernst Ludwig Gerber in 1792 as having a "divine talent" that elevated him above his contemporaries.
Compositional Technique
The Darmstadt Symphonies on this album are written for string orchestra, with horns only in two works, and a keyboard instrument can be added for support.
Compositional Technique
These symphonies are in three movements (fast-slow-fast) and show a closeness to Baroque compositions, largely avoiding contrapuntal techniques and using terraced dynamics.
Composer Biography
Johann Stamitz, the composer, was already announced as a famous violin virtuoso at a concert in Frankfurt am Main in 1742.
Historical Context
Darmstadt was an important center for court music in the early 18th century, with Christoph Graupner as Kapellmeister, who Leipzig preferred over Johann Sebastian Bach for the Thomaskantor position in 1722.
Composition History
The works on this album are called "Darmstadt Symphonies" because their 18th-century manuscript copies were discovered in the Darmstadt University and State Library.
Performer Biography
The Südwestdeutsches Kammerorchester Pforzheim, the ensemble on this recording, was founded in 1950 by Friedrich Tilegant, a student of Hindemith.
