Johann Gottlieb Graun

Johann Gottlieb Graun ( born October 28, 1703 Wahrenbrück, † October 27, 1771 in Berlin) was a German violinist and composer of the pre-classical period.

Life

Johann Gottlieb Graun received his education 1713-1721 at the Dresden Cross school, although he was enrolled for the years 1718 and 1719 at the University of Leipzig. His violin and composition teacher was Johann Georg Pisendel. In 1723 he traveled to Padua, where he was " quite a few Monath " stayed to study with Giuseppe Tartini. He then returned to Dresden and had 1726 employment at the ducal court in Merseburg. From 1731 he worked for a year at Prince of Waldeck in Arolsen and came in 1732 with his younger brother Carl Heinrich Graun in the service of the Prussian Crown Prince Frederick in Ruppin. 1736 Frederick moved with his now grown to seventeen musicians Court Orchestra to Rheinberg. 1740 Frederick became king and Graun remained until his death as concertmaster and chamber musician in the service of the king; he was responsible for the strings of the Royal Opera Orchestra.

His most famous violin student of Wilhelm Friedemann Bach, Franz Benda.

His compositions include numerous operas, oratorios, secular and sacred cantatas, overtures, symphonies, violin and harpsichord concertos and an extensive chamber work.

Reception

The District Museum of Bad Liebenswerda informed a permanent exhibition on the life and work of the brothers Graun. Also in Bad Liebenswerda place since 2003 every two years an international competition for the brothers Graun - price, since 2011 connected to a music festival. The music school of the district Elbe- Elster 1994 Music School " brothers Graun " means.