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Historical Perspectives: Friedrich Valentin Hermann

Published by Jansa Duo in biography, context and historical. Tags: , , . deutsch

Friedrich Valentin Hermann, accomplished German violin virtuoso, composer and teacher, b. 1828 in Frankfurt am Main. He studied music first with Bernhardt Mohr and from 1843 at the Leipzig Conservatorium with Ferdinand David, Mendelssohn and Hauptmann. Immediately after finishing his education, he was hired as first violist of the Leipzig Gewandhaus and Theatre Orchestra. He still holds that position today, as well as that of a teacher at the Conservatorium, with great success. Hermann is known as an able and deft composer thanks to the successful performance in 1852 of a Symphony at the Gewandhaus. Among his published works are Cappriccios for three violins, Études for violin, a Duo for violin and violoncello, a String Quartet, piano arrangements of Viotti’s and Kreutzer’s Violin Concertos, as well as arrangements of the Symphonies of Beethoven, Mendelssohn and Schumann. Hermann is one of the finest violists and string quartet players alive; his contributions to the musical life of Leipzig are invaluable.

—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.)

Historical Perspectives: Andreas Romberg

Published by Jansa Duo in biography, context and historical. Tags: , , , . deutsch français español

Dr. Andreas Romberg, geboren den 27. April 1767 zu Vechta bei Münster (Westphalen), aus­gezeich­neter Violin­virtuos und Componist, das bedeu­tendste Glied einer treff­lichen Künstler­familie; war schon mit 7 Jahren ein ausge­zeichneter Violinist, unternahm im 13. Lebens­jahre mit seinem Vater und Vetter, dem Cellisten Bernhard R. unter großem Bei­falle Concert­reisen durch Holland und Frankreich, concertirte dann 1784 mit höchstem Erfolge auch in Paris, sodaß er auf mehrere Jahre für die Concerts Spirituels engagirt wurde. 1790 trat R. mit seinem Vetter in die Dienste des Chur­fürsten von Cöln; beide ver­ließen diese Stellung infolge der krie­gerischen Ereig­nisse jedoch bald wieder, unter­nahmen dann von neuem Concert­reisen durch Italien, Tirol, nach Wien, wo Andreas sein 1. Quartett vor Haydn zu Gehör brachte.

Von Wien aus begab er sich 1797 allein nach Hamburg, 1800 nach Paris, wo er gemein­schaf­tlich mit Bernhard wieder concer­tirte, kehrte jedoch wieder nach Hamburg zurück, wo er bis 1815 lebte und dann einem Rufe als Hof­kapell­meister nach Gotha folgte. Hier wirkte R., auch als Componist sehr fruchtbar, bis an sein Ende. Er starb den 10. Novbr. 1821 zu Gotha. R.’s Com­posi­tionen, von denen mehrere sehr weite Ver­breitung und große Beliebt­heit gefunden haben, bestehen aus zahl­reichen Violin­concerten, Quar­tetten, Quin­tetten, Sonaten, Rondos, Capriccios, mehr­stimmigen Gesangs­stücken mit Or­chester­beglei­tung, Kantaten, Psalmen, Kirchen­werken, Sym­phonien, Opern u.v.M.

—Source: Hand­lexikon der Musik, An Encyclopedia of All Musical Sciences, edited by Friedrich Bremer, Leipzig (transl.)

Historical Perspectives: Heinrich Anton Hoffmann

Published by Jansa Duo in context and historical. Tags: , , , , . deutsch

Heinrich Anton Hoffmann, German violin virtuoso and conductor, b. 1770 in Mainz. Hoffmann read law and philosophy at the University there. Following his father’s death at the outbreak of the Revolutionary Wars, he fell on hard times. Hoffman chose a musical career and became chamber musician at the Court of the Prince-Elector, the Archbishop of Mainz. He stayed there until the siege of Mainz forced him to relocate, first to Aschaffenburg and later to Frankfurt, where he took up a post as violinist at the Stadttheater. From 1801 until 1819, he rose from the rank of Correpetitor and Concert Master to Vice Director of Music and finally Director of Music and Co-director of Theatre. When Guhr was made Kapellmeister in 1821, Hoffmann took the titles of Vice Music Director and First Violinist. He retired in 1835 and continued to compose until his death in 1842. Among Hoffmann’s published works are six String Quartets, two Violin Concertos, a Concertante for two Violins, 12 Lieder with piano accompaniment and Duos for Violin and Violoncello, all works of outstanding quality.

—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.)

Audio excerpt — Heinrich Hoffmann

Allegro con brio from Deux Duos pour Violon et Violoncelle
dédiés à Messieurs les Frères Romberg op. 6

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