Johan Helmich Roman facts for kids

Johan Helmich Roman (born October 26, 1694 – died November 20, 1758) was a famous Swedish Baroque composer. People often call him "the father of Swedish music." Some even compare him to the famous composer Handel. He led the Swedish Royal Orchestra during an important time in Sweden's history. This period was known as the Age of Liberty.

His Early Life

Johan Helmich Roman was born in Stockholm, Sweden. His father, Johan Roman, was also a musician. He played in the Swedish royal chapel. The family name "Roman" might come from a place in Finland called Rauma. This is because Johan's family came from Finland.

Young Johan probably learned music from his father. In 1711, when he was just 17, he joined the royal chapel. He played both the violin and the oboe.

A Musical Journey

Around 1715, the King allowed Roman to travel and study. Johan spent about six years in London, England. While there, he likely studied with Johann Christoph Pepusch. He also met other important musicians. The most important was George Frideric Handel. Handel's music had a big impact on Roman.

Roman returned to Sweden in 1721. He quickly became the deputy leader of the royal chapel. Six years later, he became the Chief Master of the Swedish Royal Orchestra. During the 1720s, Roman worked hard to improve the orchestra. He even started the first public concerts in Sweden in 1731.

In 1727, Roman published his only work during his lifetime. It was a collection of 12 sonatas for flute, violone, and harpsichord. He got married in 1730, but his wife passed away four years later.

In 1734, Roman traveled again. He visited several European countries. These included Austria, England, France, Germany, and Italy. He came back to Stockholm in 1737. He brought back lots of new music for the royal chapel to play. In 1738, Roman married again. In 1740, he joined the Royal Academy of Sciences. This was a great honor.

Challenges and Later Years

Roman's successful career faced difficulties in the early 1740s. His main supporter, Queen Ulrika Eleonora of Sweden, died in 1741. In 1742, Roman also started having serious health problems.

In 1744, Roman wrote one of his best pieces. It was called Drottningholmsmusique. This was a large orchestral suite. He wrote it for the wedding of Crown Prince Adolf Frederick of Sweden and Louisa Ulrika of Prussia. However, the new Crown Princess had different musical tastes. She and her husband started a new, competing orchestra. This made things harder for Roman. Sadly, his second wife also died in 1744. This left him with five children to care for.

In 1745, Roman retired from his job. He was becoming deaf, and his hearing had gotten much worse. He moved to a quiet estate called Lilla Haraldsmåla. It was near the city of Kalmar in south-east Sweden.

Roman returned to Stockholm only once. This was in 1751–52. He directed music for a funeral and a coronation. In his final years, he focused on translating music books into Swedish. He also adapted religious texts into Swedish. Johan Helmich Roman passed away at Haraldsmåla in 1758.

People never forgot his work. Nine years after his death, the Royal Academy of Sciences held a special ceremony. They honored Roman's achievements. Copies of his music were still being made as late as 1810.

His Amazing Music

One of Roman's most famous pieces is the "Drottningholm Music." It is also known as "Music for a Royal Wedding." This collection has 24 short pieces. Each piece lasts from about one to six minutes. Roman wrote this music for the wedding of Crown Prince Adolf Frederick of Sweden and Louisa Ulrika of Prussia. Their wedding was in August 1744. It took place at the Drottningholm Palace. The wedding celebrations lasted four days. The pieces of the "Drottningholm Music" were chosen for the occasion. Roman also kept eight extra pieces. These are sometimes called the Little Drottningholm Music.

Roman wrote many other pieces too. These include the "Sjukmans Musiquen" suite and the Italian-style cantata Piante amiche. We also have many of his handwritten works. These include a Mass, motets, over 80 psalms, 21 symphonies, 6 overtures, and more than 20 violin sonatas. He also wrote twelve harpsichord sonatas and other works.

Images for kids

• Johan Helmich Roman.jpg

  A portrait of Johan Helmich Roman.