Historical Perspectives: Christian Ernst Graaf

admin — Sun, 17 Aug 2008 19:57:11 +0000

Christian Ernst Graaf was born 1823 in Rudolstadt, Thuringia. He became a pupil of his father and eventually became his successor in the office of Kapellmeister there. In 1762 he was called to the Royal Court in The Hague. He died in 1802, shortly after directing one of his Oratorios in a Lutheran church. Graaf excelled both as composer and violinist. Many of his works were published in the Netherlands – Sinfonias, Ouvertures and other orchestral works, Sonatas for Violin and Piano, Variations, Duos for various instruments, Songs and Lieder; others remain unpublished. Graaf also published a treatise entitled Proeve over de natuur der harmonie in de generaal bas, benevens een onderricht eener korte en regelmatige becyfering (The Hague, 1782).

—Source: Musikalisches Conversations-Lexikon: An Encyclopedia of All Musical Sciences for the Educated of All Classes, edited and published by Hermann Mendel, Berlin 1875 (transl.)

Christian Ernst Graaf (1723-1804)

admin — Sun, 23 Mar 2008 17:44:58 +0000

Christian Ernst Graaf was born in Rudolstadt, Thuringia. He became a pupil of his father, Johann Graf. In 1745 he became his father’s successor in the office of Kapellmeister there. In 1759 he was called to the Royal Court in The Hague as Kapellmeister to Princess Anne of Hanover and William V, Prince of Orange. Graaf’s works include Sonatas for Violin, String Trios and String Quartets, a Quintet for Flute and Strings and Fables for Piano and Voice — 25 Fables dans le goût de la Fontaine, pour le Chant et le Clavecin. In 1782, Graaf published a treatise entitled Proeve over de Natuur der Harmonie. Mozart’s Variations KV 24 are based on Graaf’s song Laat ons juichen batavieren. The “Duetto à Violino e Violoncello” probably remained unpublished; a copy of the manuscript exists.

Jansa Duo» Thuringia

Historical Perspectives: Christian Ernst Graaf

Christian Ernst Graaf (1723-1804)