Joseph Joachim Quantz   (YO-sef     YO-ah-keem    KWANTZ)

Born January 30, 1697 in Hanover, Germany

Died in 1773

Nationality: German

Period/Style: Baroque

About the composer:

Quantz was one of the first professional flute players in Europe in the 18^th Century.  He began playing oboe in the town band.  He learned to play all of the instruments, but eventually settled on the flute. He traveled to Italy, France and England to broaden his musical education, then returned to Germany where he settled in Dresden. He gave music lessons to the crown prince Frederick.  In 1741, after Frederick had become King of Prussia (known as Frederick the Great), Quantz was employed in the royal court where he remained until his death, composing, performing and making flutes for the king. The king himself was a fine flutist and composer. Quantz wrote over 200 flute sonatas, about 300 flute concertos, and many trio sonatas.  He also wrote a famous book on flute-playing, and he built many flutes.

About the music:

Trio Sonata in C minor (10 min)

This is one of many chamber music pieces written by Quantz.  You’ll hear a flute, a cello, an oboe, and a keyboard instrument called a harpsichord.  Quantz probably played this himself many times, and no doubt the King of Prussia did, too.

Suggested activity:

Draw pictures of different kinds of flutes.