Heinrich Anton Hoffmann was born 1770 in Mainz. Around 1790, he joined the orchestra at the Court of the Prince-Elector, the Archbishop of Mainz, then under the direction of Righini. After the conquest of Mainz in 1792, the royal household relocated to Aschaffenburg. Hoffmann left the Court Orchestra in 1799 and joined the Frankfurt Theatre Orchestra. At the same time, he began to perform as a soloist, with great success. In June of 1806, his publisher André wrote that he would prefer to publish his latest Violin Concerto instead of the agreed Duo and two Symphonies. In 1811, Hoffmann was made conert master of the Frankfurt Orchestra. From 1817 to 1835, he was Vize-Kapellmeister and from 1819-1821 Music Director of the Stadttheater.
Among his published works are vocal music with political character (Lobgesang an die Retter Deutschlands, Kantate für gemischten Chor und Orchester, Sechs Gesänge für Freimaurer), piano music, six String Quartets and two Violin Concertos. Contrary to the wishes of his publisher, Hoffmann decided not to put in print more Symphonies or Concertos but concentrated instead on Duos for Violin and Violoncello, of which ten were published. The excellent quality of Hoffman’s works did not prevent their fall into obscurity.
Extrait audio — Heinrich Anton Hoffmann
Allegro con brio par « Deux Duos pour Violon et Violoncelle
dédiés à Messieurs les Frères Romberg » op. 6
