Johann Peter Salomon facts for kids
Johann Peter Salomon (born February 20, 1745 – died November 28, 1815) was a talented German violin player, composer, and conductor. He was also a musical impresario, which means he organized concerts and shows. Salomon is most famous for bringing the great composer Joseph Haydn to London. He also conducted many of the amazing symphonies Haydn wrote while living in England. Salomon also knew and worked with other famous composers like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Ludwig van Beethoven.
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A Young Musician's Journey
Johann Peter Salomon was born in January 1745 in a city called Bonn, in Germany. His father, Philipp Salomon, played the oboe in the court orchestra in Bonn. Interestingly, Johann Peter's birth home was at the same address where Ludwig van Beethoven would later be born!
When Salomon was just 13 years old, in 1758, he became a violinist in the orchestra of the Elector Clemens August in Bonn. This was a great start to his musical career.
Becoming a Concert Master
About seven years later, Salomon began to travel. He visited cities like Berlin and Frankfort. Then he arrived in Rheinsberg, where he quickly became the concert master for Prince Heinrich of Prussia's orchestra. A concert master is the lead violinist in an orchestra. Salomon also composed several pieces for the Prince's court. These included four operas and an oratorio, which is a large musical work for voices and orchestra. It was in Prince Heinrich's orchestra that Salomon first performed some of Joseph Haydn's music.
Moving to London
In the early 1780s, Salomon moved to London, England. There, he continued to compose music and play the violin. He performed as a soloist and as part of a string quartet, which is a group of four string players. In 1786, he organized a series of concerts at a place called the Hanover Square Rooms. At these concerts, he introduced the people of London to the symphonies of Haydn and Mozart.
While in London, Salomon wrote two operas for the Royal Opera House. He also composed many art songs, several concertos (pieces for a solo instrument with an orchestra), and chamber music. However, he is probably best remembered today for organizing and conducting concerts.
Bringing Haydn to London
In 1790, Salomon traveled across Europe. He was looking for talented singers for the Italian opera. He was especially interested in Vienna because Prince Eszterhazy, Haydn's employer, had recently passed away. This gave Salomon a chance to convince Haydn to come to England.
Salomon successfully persuaded Haydn to visit London twice: first in 1791–92, and again in 1794–95. During these trips, Salomon and Haydn performed many new works that Haydn composed in England. Haydn wrote his famous symphonies numbers 93 to 104 for these visits. These are often called the London symphonies. Some people even call them the Salomon symphonies because of his role in bringing Haydn to London.
Salomon is also thought to have given Haydn the original idea for the words of his famous work, The Creation. This is a very important piece of music.
Founding the Philharmonic Society
Salomon was one of the people who helped start the Philharmonic Society in London. This society was very important for music. He led the orchestra at its very first concert on March 8, 1813.
Salomon is also believed to have given the famous nickname "Jupiter" to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Symphony No. 41.
Johann Peter Salomon passed away in London on November 28, 1815, at the age of 70. He died after falling from his horse. He is buried in the cloisters of Westminster Abbey, a very famous church in London.
Remembering Salomon's Legacy
People at the time thought Salomon was an excellent violin player. Many reviews praised his skills. He was also known for being a good person. H.C. Robbins Landon, a music historian, said that Salomon was "clever and sensitive" as an organizer. He also described him as "generous, honest, and very efficient" in his work.
Ludwig van Beethoven, who knew Salomon from his childhood in Bonn, was very sad to hear of his death. Beethoven wrote that Salomon "was a noble man."
Since 2011, the Royal Philharmonic Society has given out the Salomon Prize. This award celebrates the talent and hard work of musicians in orchestras across the United Kingdom. It's a way to keep Salomon's memory alive and honor his contributions to music.
Images for kids
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Johann Peter Salomon by Thomas Hardy (1790–92)
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Memorial in south cloister of Westminster Abbey
