Johann Heinrich Schmelzer facts for kids
Johann Heinrich Schmelzer (born around 1620–1623, died in 1680) was an Austrian composer and a fantastic violinist from the middle Baroque period. He spent most of his life working as a musician and composer for the powerful Habsburg family in Vienna. He became good friends with Emperor Leopold I, who even made him a nobleman! In 1679, he reached the top job as the main music director, called Kapellmeister. Sadly, he passed away from the plague just a few months later.
Schmelzer was one of the best violinists of his time. He greatly influenced other German and Austrian composers who played the violin. He helped develop new ways to play the violin and made popular musical forms like the sonata and suite even better in Austria. He was the most important Austrian composer of his time and taught or influenced famous musicians like Heinrich Ignaz Biber.
Biography
Johann Heinrich Schmelzer was born in Scheibbs, a town in Lower Austria. We don't know much about his early life or where he learned music. He first appears in official records in 1643. At that time, he was a cornett player at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. He probably started working at the royal court chapel in the late 1630s. He worked for Emperor Ferdinand II and later for Emperor Ferdinand III.
Schmelzer officially became a court violinist in 1649. He became very famous as a violin player and composer. He had a special connection with Emperor Leopold I, who loved art and even composed music himself. Schmelzer started publishing his music in 1659.
In 1671, he became the assistant music director, or vice-Kapellmeister. Two years later, in 1673, the Emperor made Schmelzer a nobleman. This meant he could add "von Ehrenruef" to his name. Finally, in 1679, he became the main Kapellmeister after the previous one passed away. Sadly, Schmelzer died in early 1680 during a terrible plague. The royal court had moved to Prague to escape the sickness, but he still caught it there.
Schmelzer had four children. One of them, Andreas Anton Schmelzer, also became a composer.
Music and Influence
Schmelzer became very well-known for his violin playing and compositions. This was impressive because at the time, Italian musicians were usually the most famous in this field. One traveler in 1660 even called him "the famous and nearly most distinguished violinist in all Europe."
In 1664, Schmelzer published Sonatae unarum fidium. This was the first collection of sonatas for violin and basso continuo (a type of musical accompaniment) published by a German-speaking composer. His music showed off amazing violin skills. It also used common musical forms of the time, like the sonata, which often had different sections and repeated bass lines.
Schmelzer was the most important Austrian composer of instrumental music during his time. He had a big impact on the famous Austrian violinist and composer Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber (1644–1704). Many people believe Biber was one of Schmelzer's students.
Selected Works
- Lamento sopra la morte di Ferdinando III, 1657 (A sad piece about the death of Emperor Ferdinand III)
- Duodena selactarum sonatarum, 1659 (A collection of sonatas)
- Sacroprofanus Concentus, 1662 (A mix of sacred and non-sacred music)
- Sonatae unarum fidium seu a violino solo, 1664 (Sonatas for solo violin)
- Die musikalische Fechtschul, 1668 (The Musical Fencing School)
- He also wrote about 150 suites (collections of dances), vocal works, and Christian music.
See also
In Spanish: Johann Heinrich Schmelzer para niños
