Klarinet Archive - Posting 000106.txt from 2012/02

From: Susan Kundert <ohsuzan@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] The Others - 2
Date: Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:09:51 -0500

Sounds good to me!
On Feb 8, 2012 4:35 PM, <rgilbertRGP@-----.net> wrote:

> The Others
>
> In the course of the history of music there have been some truly great
> composers and we all know the names of these masters: Bach, Handel, Haydn,
> Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert among many others. For every one of these
> masters there were hundreds, perhaps thousands, of other composers working
> for the aristocracy, the Church and or individual patrons. Virtually eve=
ry
> principality and church had a composer (/conductor) in residence and
> depending on the wealth of each of these institutions had orchestras,
> ensembles, choirs in their employ. As the various European countries
> nationalized the aristocracy=92s influence declined as composers were fin=
ding
> more independent ways of making a living (teaching, publishing,
> commissions and other opportunities arose). As political turmoil arose
> throughout Europe composers emigrated to more receptive countries where t=
he
> term =93Composers in Residence=94 at Universities became the new norm as =
well
> as private and public foundations. From time to time I would like to give
> an overview for one of these composers who had considerable impact on the=
ir
> time. time. These narratives are made up from various web-based sources
> and are only intended as general background material.
>
> Richard Gilbert is best known for his Grenadilla Records company and to
> clarinetists for his multi-volumed Clarinet Discographies.
>
>
> www.grenadillamusic.com
>
> Here is his second post on The Others.
>
> Peter von Winter (Born at Mannheim in Germany, 1754-1825) - Posterity has
> not been kind to this composer. He was a wunderkind of the Mannheim Court
> Orchestra who after its removal to Munich worked as its kapellmeister, but
> his music today is as good as forgotten. Yet, in Vienna and Italy he was a
> celebrated opera composer of international standing. Being a contemporary
> of Mozart=92s, they were in conflict and had words.
>
> In 1778, on the ascension of Karl Theodor as Elector of Bavaria, the
> electoral court moved to Munich, taking along the bulk of the musical
> establishment. Winter moved with the orchestra and became in 1778 director
> of the court orchestra. As well, he was responsible, in particular, for
> conducting the opera comiques that the Marchand theater troupe gave in
> German translation.
>
> After a time away, he returned to Munich in 1798, where he now became
> Court Kapellmeister. For his 50 years of court service in 1814, he was
> granted the personal title of nobility, allowing him to use =93von=94 in =
his
> name.
>
> Of more than thirty operas written by Winter between 1778 and 1820 very
> few were unsuccessful. His most popular work, Das unterbrochene Opferfest,
> was produced in 1796 at Vienna, where in 1797-1798 he composed Die
> Pyramiden von Babylon and Das Labyrinth oder Der Kampf mit den Elementen,
> both written for him by Emanuel Schikaneder, in continuation of the story
> of Mozarts Die Zauberfl=F6te. Five years later he visited London, where he
> produced La grotta di Calipso in 1803, Il ratto di Proserpina in 1804, and
> Zaira in 1805, all with libretti by none other than Lorenzo da Ponte, with
> great success. Maometto (1817) is probably his most famous opera, still
> performed sometimes and it exists in an excellent recording in CD. His la=
st
> opera, Der S=E4nger und der Schneider, was produced in 1820 at Munich, wh=
ere
> he died
>
> When he died, the streets were lined with people in mourning as his coffin
> was carried through the city to the cemetery. And with his internment, the
> music of Peter von Winter fell into oblivion and his reputation faded into
> obscurity.
>
> I have always found his music to be delightful and airy.
>
> Works: (A selected listing):
> 40 operas; 8 ballets (5 others doubtful); 24 masses; 2 Requiems (one for
> Joseph II); numerous offertories, motets, hymns; 7 concerti for various
> instruments; 4 symphonies; 3 sinfonie concertantes; 13 divertimenti, 3
> sonatas; at least 17 various chamber works; and numerous choral works,
> duets, lieder and canzonets.
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