Rosetti, Antonio

[now Litoměřice], c1750 – d. Ludwigslust, 30 June 1792)

1. Allegro moderato
2. Romance
3. Rondo

Preface (by Hando Nahkur, 2016)

Bohemian composer and double bass player, was educated and received musical training from the Jesuits in Bohemia. After serving as a livery servant and double bass player at the Hoftkapelle of Kraft Ernst, Prince von Oettingen-Wallerstein, he became a Hofmusikus (court musician) in 1774. He began composing already in Bohemia, but never had a chance to fully dedicate himself to composition until he was allowed to visit Paris, France, in 1781. Former compositions included court repertory and a Requiem in E-flat major, which was dedicated to Maria Theresa, born Princess of Thurn und Taxis. Upon arriving in Paris in 1781, he made contact with the best musicians and ensembles of the day. He stayed in Paris for about five months and used his stay there efficiently. He promoted his works to local people and publishers. As a result, his compositions became increasingly well known, and were performed by the best ensembles of Paris, including the orchestra of Concert Spirituel. For the latter he composed several new symphonies, making sure that the orchestra had a chance to fully express itself in his new compositions. While in Paris, his music was published by various publishers, including Le Menu et Boyer and Sieber. Collaboration with Sieber resulted to the publication of his Six Symphonies, Op.3 in 1782.

After returning from Paris in 1782, his reputation as a composer in Wallerstein changed, as he was now established and recognized. By the time of his return, Wallerstein’s ensembles had reached a new level in musicianship, which inspired Rosetti tremendously and increased his creativity as a composer. Between 1782 and 1789, he composed several symphonies, concertos, and wind partitas for the Wallerstein ensembles. The presence of the Bohemian horn duo Franz Zwierzina and Joseph Nagel in Wallerstein, and the popularity of the concerto at the Concert Spirituel in the 1780s, led Rosetti to start composing many solo and double horn concertos, which in many ways have become his best known compositions…

Read full preface / Komplettes Vorwort lesen > HERE