Flutist, Composer. The most celebrated flute player of the 18th Century, he is remembered today for his long association with Frederick the Great. Quantz was born in Oberscheden, near Göttingen, Germany. He was initially trained as a town musician in Dresden, specializing in the oboe, then switched to the flute when he learned this offered greater opportunities for career advancement. His gifts attracted wealthy patrons who sponsored his further education in Italy, France, and England, and in 1728 he was appointed to Dresden's court orchestra. That year he became musical instructor to the teenage Prince Frederick, himself a talented flutist, and was summoned to Berlin after Frederick became King of Prussia in 1741. Quantz remained in the monarch's service until his death, enjoying privileged status as court composer and instrumentalist. His activities centered around Frederick's private evening concerts, for which he composed most of his 300 flute concertos and 200 sonatas, as well as trios and vocal music; few were published during his lifetime. He also built at least 18 flutes for the king. The publication of his treatise "Versuch einer Answeisung die Flöte traversiere zu spielen" (1752), a comprehensive study of the instrument, spread his fame throughout Europe and inspired a school of flute-playing that lasted nearly a century. Quantz was originally buried at Potsdam's Friedhof vor dem Nauener Tor, which was closed in 1796. In 1865 his remains and monument were moved to the Alter Friedhof in Potsdam.
Flutist, Composer. The most celebrated flute player of the 18th Century, he is remembered today for his long association with Frederick the Great. Quantz was born in Oberscheden, near Göttingen, Germany. He was initially trained as a town musician in Dresden, specializing in the oboe, then switched to the flute when he learned this offered greater opportunities for career advancement. His gifts attracted wealthy patrons who sponsored his further education in Italy, France, and England, and in 1728 he was appointed to Dresden's court orchestra. That year he became musical instructor to the teenage Prince Frederick, himself a talented flutist, and was summoned to Berlin after Frederick became King of Prussia in 1741. Quantz remained in the monarch's service until his death, enjoying privileged status as court composer and instrumentalist. His activities centered around Frederick's private evening concerts, for which he composed most of his 300 flute concertos and 200 sonatas, as well as trios and vocal music; few were published during his lifetime. He also built at least 18 flutes for the king. The publication of his treatise "Versuch einer Answeisung die Flöte traversiere zu spielen" (1752), a comprehensive study of the instrument, spread his fame throughout Europe and inspired a school of flute-playing that lasted nearly a century. Quantz was originally buried at Potsdam's Friedhof vor dem Nauener Tor, which was closed in 1796. In 1865 his remains and monument were moved to the Alter Friedhof in Potsdam.
Bio by: Bobb Edwards
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