Johann Baptist Vanhal
Double Bass Concerto
Following Dittersdorf (HN 759) and Hoffmeister (HN 721), Johann Baptist Vanhal and his sole double-bass concerto add a further highlight to the classical bass literature in our catalogue. The virtuoso work was transmitted only in a copy of a part owned by the famous double-bass player Johannes Sperger (1750–1812) and found in his estate, which raises a few questions on account of the many later additions in the solo part (especially concerning the octave transpositions). In our Urtext edition, Tobias Glöckler proposes a solution to this dilemma with a musical text that is outstandingly well-prepared for the performing artist. The piano reduction is printed in two keys (C and D major), which allows for performances in the solo and orchestral tuning or, at will. Moreover an additional part, written in fingering notation, has been specially designed for use with the "Viennese tuning" customary in Vanhal's days. It allows players to use this resonant historical tuning immediately without tedious retraining.
About the Composer
Johann Baptist Vanhal
A Bohemian composer and violinist. While his early compositions still employ Baroque elements, a transition to Classicism is clearly evident over the course of his output. His fame during his lifetime can be measured particularly by the many publications that contributed to dissemination of his works to places such as France and England. In his later keyboard compositions, which enjoyed great popularity, he was responding to the increasing demand from amateurs for keyboard repertoire. In addition he wrote 76 symphonies, sacred works, and chamber music, among other things.
| 1739 | Born in Nové Nechanice on May 12. |
| 1752 | Takes organ lessons with Anton Erban. |
| around 1752 | He works as an organist in Opočno, becomes regens chori (choral director) in Hněvčeves, and receives violin instruction from Mathias Nowák. |
| around 1760 | He moves to Vienna at the behest of Countess Schaffgotsch. Here he takes lessons with Matthäus Schlöger and, probably, with Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf. He establishes himself in Viennese musical life as a violinist, teacher, and composer, numbering Ignaz Pleyel among his pupils. |
| 1769–71 | He travels through Italy and meets Christoph Willibald Gluck as well as Florian Leopold Gassmann, assisting with the latter’s opera productions. |
| around 1780 | He reduces his concert-giving. He primarily composes sacred music, organ works, and keyboard pieces. |
| 1784 | He plays in a quartet with Joseph Haydn, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Karl Ditters von Dittersdorf. |
| 1813 | Dies in Vienna on August 20. |
About the Authors
Tobias Glöckler (Editor, Fingering and bowing for Double Bass, Cadenzas)
Tobias Glöckler is associate principal double bass player at the Dresdner Philharmonie and a prizewinner of the International ISB Double Bass Competition (USA). He studied with Konrad Siebach at the Music Conservatory in Leipzig, perfecting his skills with Jeff Bradetich (Chicago) and Ulrich Lau (Stuttgart). While studying, he was principal double bass player with the International Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra under Claudio Abbado. He has performed as a soloist with different orchestras, including the Dresdner Philharmonie with Ton Koopman. In addition he has made recordings for radio and has made guest appearances at diverse music festivals. He is a founding member of and solo bass player with the “ensemble frauenkirche” and has explored a great many chamber music works with the Dresdner String Quintet.
Glöckler teaches at the music conservatory in Dresden. His efforts concerning the revival of the “Viennese Tuning” have been rewarded with a Distinguished Achievement Award for historical performance practice.
Photo © markenfotografie
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Further editions of this title
Further editions of this title
Part in "Viennese tuning" (A-d-f#-a): free download
Orchestral material from Breitkopf & Härtel