Release Date: 01 January 2007
Label: Naxos - Nxc / Naxos Classics
Packaging Type: Jewel Case
No of Units: 1
Barcode: 747313019878
Genres: Classical
Composer/Series: DITTERSDORF
Description
Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf (1739-1799) Sinfonias Carl Ditters (Baron von Dittersdorf from 1772) was one of the most prolific and versatile of the Viennese contemporaries of Haydn and Mozart. Quite apart from his magnificent musical legacy, of which a distressingly small proportion has been published to date, Dittersdorf left behind one of the most fascinating and entertaining memoirs of the period. Dictated to his son and completed just two days before his death, Dittersdorf's autobiography is not only a rich source of information on music and musicians of the period, but it succeeds in conveying to the reader something of its author's charm, vivacity and learning. Sadly, there was serious intent behind the writing of the memoirs. In his last years Dittersdorf was crippled with arthritis and chronically short of money. His music, which had once delighted Europe, was now largely ignored and a subscription offer he sent out in 1799 attracted no takers. In the last pages of his memoir he appeals to all those who have received pleasure from his works to purchase a copy of the book in the hope that the proceeds will help support his family.Ditters grew up in comfortable financial circumstances and received a good general education at a Jesuit school in addition to private tuition in music, French, and religion. He began violin lessons at the age of seven and within a few years was appointed as a member of the orchestra at the Benedictine church on the Freyung through the influence of his teacher, Joseph Ziegler. On 1 March 1751 he joined the musical establishment of Prince Joseph Friedrich von Sachsen-Hildburghausen and began a more disciplined course of violin study with Giuseppe Trani, who also probably taught Leopold Hofmann. His early attempts at composition impressed Trani, who commended him to the composer Giuseppe Bonno. Bonno offered him instruction in Fuxian counterpoint and free composition and seems to have been a generous and kindly teacher. Ditters remained in service until 1761 when the Kapelle was dissolved. Along with the other musicians, he was offered employment by the Theatre Director at the Imperial Court, Count Durazzo.During the early 1760s Ditters was regarded as the finest violinist in Vienna. He appeared frequently as a soloist, generally in his own concertos, and composed prolifically in other genres. His close association with dramatic music during this period proved highly influential on his development as an artist. Nonetheless, when his contract with Durazzo expired in the winter of 1764 he chose to accept the post of Kapellmeister to the Bishop of Grosswardein, recently vacated by Michael Haydn, rather than work under the authority of Count Wenzel Spork, Durazzo's successor. In his new post Ditters assembled a good orchestra, which also later included the composer Wenzel Pichl (a collection of Pichl's symphonies will be released on Naxos 8.557761 in 2007), and a small compan
Tracklisting
Dariia Lytvishko
Baltimore Symphony Orchestra; Marin Alsop
Alice Di Piazza; Basel Sinfonietta; NDR Bigband; Titus Engel
Anna Alas i Jove; Miquel Villalba
David Childs; Black Dyke Band; Nicholas Childs
Various
Various
Lully
