Gottlieb Graupner facts for kids
Johann Christian Gottlieb Graupner (born October 6, 1767 – died April 16, 1836) was a very important musician. He was a composer, conductor, teacher, and even a publisher of music. He was born in Hanover, Germany.
Graupner played the oboe in Joseph Haydn's orchestra. Haydn was a famous composer in London. In the 1790s, Graupner moved to the United States. He helped start two important music groups in Boston, Massachusetts. These were the Philharmonic Society (around 1810–1825) and the famous Handel and Haydn Society (started in 1815).
Some early stories suggested Graupner played a role in popularizing certain types of American songs. However, more recent historians have looked into these claims. They now question whether these stories are fully accurate.
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Graupner's Musical Journey
In 1801, Graupner worked with other musicians, Philip Trajetta and François Mallet. They started a music school in Boston. It was called the American Conservatorio of Boston. This was the first school of its kind in the United States. It only lasted for two years.
Graupner also started a music publishing company. This company quickly became very well-known in Boston.
Leading Music in Boston
In 1810, Graupner created the Boston Philharmonic Society. This group performed classical music. They wanted to share this music with more people. On April 17, 1810, they performed Ludwig van Beethoven's Eroica Symphony. This was the first time this famous piece was played in North America!
Graupner was a key figure in Boston's music scene from 1798 to 1815. He helped start the Handel and Haydn Society in 1815. Around 1816, he led the orchestra at Washington Gardens. He also performed concerts in many places in Boston. These included the Columbian Museum and Conservatory Hall. His wife, Catherine Comoford Hillier, was an opera singer. She often performed with him.
Music Publisher and Teacher
As a music publisher, Graupner helped share music with many people. He published a popular book called Rudiments of the Art of Playing on the Piano-Forte. The first edition came out in 1806. A second edition followed in 1819. This was one of the first books like it published in the United States. It might even have been the very first!
He also published sheet music by many different composers. Some of these included Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven. Other composers he published were Henry Bishop, John Braham, Muzio Clementi, Johann Dussek, and Thomas Moore.
Graupner's Life in Boston
In Boston, Graupner owned a music store. It was first located at no. 6 Franklin Street. He also lived there. Later, his store moved to Marlboro Street. Towards the end of his life, he lived in Province House Court. Gottlieb Graupner passed away in Boston in 1836.
Images for kids
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An advertisement from 1808. It shows Graupner taught at Susanna Rowson's Young Ladies' Academy.
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Another portrait of Gottlieb Graupner from 1807.
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An advertisement for a concert at King's Chapel in Boston from 1813. Graupner led the orchestra for this performance.
