Anton Stamitz

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Johann Anton Stamitz (Czech: Antonín Stamic; 1750 or 1754 in Mannheim – 1798 or 1809 in Paris) was a German (and second-generation Bohemian) composer and violinist.

Anton and his brother Carl received their first violin instruction from their father, Johann. After their father's death in 1757 they were taken on as students by Christian Cannabich, who had been a student of their father's. Both were by this time already violinists in the famous Mannheimer Kapelle and participated in its development.

In 1770 with his brother Carl he visited Paris and established himself there. Between 1782 and 1789 he played in the King's court orchestra in Versailles, and obtained the title "ordinaire de la musique du roi". He was the violin teacher of Rodolphe Kreutzer.

Although his further history up to 1798 isn't known, he probably died in Paris. He may have died as late as 1809.

[edit] Selected list of works

• At least four concertos, in B-flat, F (1779), G and D, for viola d'amore now also performed on the viola
• About twenty violin concertos
• Several flute concertos including one in D major
• A concerto for two flutes in G (taken up by James Galway among others)
• Four concertos for two clarinets or clarinet and violin
• Several string quartets and symphonies
• Caprices for solo flute
• Six duos for two flutes, published as his opus 1
• A sinfonia concertante in D for two flutes and orchestra

[edit] External links

• Synthonia page with summary worklist
• HOASM brief biography
• Program notes to a performance of his third viola concerto
• Much fuller biography by Viola d'Amore Society of the Stamitz Family