The son of composer Johann Stamitz, his extensive body of works include more than 50 known symphonies, 38 sinfonia concertantes and more than 60 instrumental concertos

 

German-Czech composer Carl Stamitz was born on this day in 1745.

Born in Mannheim, Carl was the eldest child of Johann Stamitz, a renowned violinist and composer during the early classical era. Initially Carl studied violin and composition with after his father. After Johann's passing in 1757, the 12 year old Carl continued his studies with court-composer Christian Cannabich, who succeeded Johann as the head of the Mannheim Palace court orchestra. At 17 years of age, Carl too began serving as a violinist within the Mannheim court orchestra.

In 1770, Stamitz handed in his resignation papers to Mannheim Palace and embarked on a journey as a freelance violinist, taking on temporary jobs in various European locales that included Paris, Frankfurt, Ausburg, Strasbourg, London and Saint Petersburg. Despite his endeavors, he failed to secure a permanent position. Eventually, in 1794, he settled with his family in Jena, Germany, sadly financial hardships plagued him until his demise in 1801.

As a composer, Stamitz holds an important place in history as a leading figure in the second wave of the Mannheim School.

Stamitz's compositional output encompasses 50 symphonies, 28 symphony-concertantes, and more than 60 concertos for violin, viola, viola d'amore, cello, clarinet, basset horn, flute, bassoon and other instruments.

During the period when he lived in Paris, Stamitz collaborated with Bohemian clarinet virtuoso Joseph Beer. Stamitz's Clarinet Concerto No. 6 in E-flat major is believed to have been jointly composed by the two men, both of their names appear on the title page of the Viennese manuscript.

Stamitz's operas, Der verliebte Vormund and Dardanus, have been lost to time. His musical style which is strongly reminiscent of Mozart and Haydn, is marked by enchanting and sweet melodies that are not excessively demanding on soloists.

Typically, his orchestral compositions follow the classical period standard of an opening movement in sonata form, followed by expressive and lyrical middle movements, concluding with final movements structured as rondos.

Dying in 1801, Stamitz is remembered in history as the first known composer to specify a left-hand pizzicato.

 

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