Gottlieb Graupner
Encyclopedia
Johann Christian Gottlieb Graupner (1767-1836) was a musician, composer, educator and publisher. Born in Hanover, Germany, he played oboe in Joseph Haydn
's orchestra in London. After moving to the United States in the 1790s, he co-founded the Philharmonic Society (ca.1810-1825) and the Handel and Haydn Society
(est.1815) in Boston
, Massachusetts
.
Some historians call Graupner "the father of Negro songs." One historian of jazz writes: "In 1795...Graupner...arrived in Charleston, Virginia, from Hanover, Germany, listened to banjo music and Negro songs, and learned. In 1799, donning blackface, he introduced himself as 'The Gay Negro Boy' in an interlude between acts at the Federal Street Theatre
in Boston. This was the beginning of Negro minstrels and minstrelsy." According to another account, thereafter "he specialized in popularizing Negro songs."
In 1810 he organized the Boston Philharmonic Society to perform classical music in reaction to the non-classical syncopation of the fuguing tunes of William Billings
. He became "the musical oracle of Boston" from 1798 until the 1815 when he was among the founding members of the Handel and Haydn Society. Around 1816 he directed the orchestra at Washington Gardens
. He played concerts in Boston at the Columbian Museum
, Conservatory Hall, and other venues in Boston and around New England. His wife, opera singer Catherine Comoford Hillier, also performed frequently.
As a music publisher, Graupner promoted the popular Rudiments of the Art of Playing on the Piano-Forte (Boston, 1806; 2nd ed., 1819), one of the earliest such volumes published in the United States, and possibly the first. He also published sheet music by numerous composers including Henry Bishop, John Braham
, John Clarke Whitfield
, Muzio Clementi
, John Davy, Johann Dussek, James Hook
, Michael Kelly, George Kiallmark, Thomas Moore
, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
, Francis Panormo, William Parsons
, David Dean Roche, John Ross, Oliver Shaw
, John Stevenson
.
In Boston Graupner ran a music store at no. 6 Franklin Street
, where he also lived. The store later moved to Marlboro Street and towards the end of his life he lived in Province House Court. He died in Boston in 1836.
Joseph Haydn
Franz Joseph Haydn , known as Joseph Haydn , was an Austrian composer, one of the most prolific and prominent composers of the Classical period. He is often called the "Father of the Symphony" and "Father of the String Quartet" because of his important contributions to these forms...
's orchestra in London. After moving to the United States in the 1790s, he co-founded the Philharmonic Society (ca.1810-1825) and the Handel and Haydn Society
Handel and Haydn Society
The Handel and Haydn Society is an American chorus and period instrument orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1815, it remains one of the oldest performing arts organizations in the United States.-Early history:...
(est.1815) in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
.
Some historians call Graupner "the father of Negro songs." One historian of jazz writes: "In 1795...Graupner...arrived in Charleston, Virginia, from Hanover, Germany, listened to banjo music and Negro songs, and learned. In 1799, donning blackface, he introduced himself as 'The Gay Negro Boy' in an interlude between acts at the Federal Street Theatre
Federal Street Theatre
The Federal Street Theatre , also known as the Boston Theatre, was located at the corner of Federal and Franklin streets in Boston, Massachusetts. It was "the first building erected purposely for theatrical entertainments in the town of Boston."-History:The original building was designed by Charles...
in Boston. This was the beginning of Negro minstrels and minstrelsy." According to another account, thereafter "he specialized in popularizing Negro songs."
In 1810 he organized the Boston Philharmonic Society to perform classical music in reaction to the non-classical syncopation of the fuguing tunes of William Billings
William Billings
William Billings was an American choral composer, and is widely regarded as the father of American choral music...
. He became "the musical oracle of Boston" from 1798 until the 1815 when he was among the founding members of the Handel and Haydn Society. Around 1816 he directed the orchestra at Washington Gardens
Washington Gardens (Boston)
Washington Gardens was a place of public entertainment and refreshment in early 19th-century Boston, Massachusetts. Also known as Vauxhall, it specialized in fireworks, circuses, musical and theatrical performances, pictorial exhibitions, and the occasional balloonist and necromancer. John H...
. He played concerts in Boston at the Columbian Museum
Columbian Museum
The Columbian Museum was a museum and performance space in Boston, Massachusetts, established by Daniel Bowen, and continued by William M. S. Doyle. The museum featured artworks, natural history specimens, wax figures, and other curiosities....
, Conservatory Hall, and other venues in Boston and around New England. His wife, opera singer Catherine Comoford Hillier, also performed frequently.
As a music publisher, Graupner promoted the popular Rudiments of the Art of Playing on the Piano-Forte (Boston, 1806; 2nd ed., 1819), one of the earliest such volumes published in the United States, and possibly the first. He also published sheet music by numerous composers including Henry Bishop, John Braham
John Braham
John Braham was a tenor opera singer born in London, England. His long career led him to become one of Europe's leading opera stars. He also wrote a number of songs, of minor importance, although The Death of Nelson is still remembered...
, John Clarke Whitfield
John Clarke Whitfield
John Clarke Whitfield , English organist and composer, was born at Gloucester, and educated at Oxford under Dr Philip Hayes....
, Muzio Clementi
Muzio Clementi
Muzio Clementi was a celebrated composer, pianist, pedagogue, conductor, music publisher, editor, and piano manufacturer. Born in Italy, he spent most of his life in England. He is best known for his piano sonatas, and his collection of piano studies, Gradus ad Parnassum...
, John Davy, Johann Dussek, James Hook
James Hook (composer)
James Hook was an English composer and organist.-Life and musical career:He was born in Norwich, the son of James Hook, a razor-grinder and cutler. He displayed a remarkable musical talent at an early age, playing the harpsichord by the age of four and performing concertos in public at age six...
, Michael Kelly, George Kiallmark, Thomas Moore
Thomas Moore
Thomas Moore was an Irish poet, singer, songwriter, and entertainer, now best remembered for the lyrics of The Minstrel Boy and The Last Rose of Summer. He was responsible, with John Murray, for burning Lord Byron's memoirs after his death...
, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
, Francis Panormo, William Parsons
William Parsons (composer)
Sir William Parsons was an English composer and musician who was Master of the King's Musick under George III between 1786 and 1817....
, David Dean Roche, John Ross, Oliver Shaw
Oliver Shaw
Oliver Shaw , was one of the first American composers.Shaw was born at Newport, Rhode Island. A childhood accident and later yellow fever caused him to go totally blind. He studied with organist John Berkenhead and later with Gottlieb Graupner...
, John Stevenson
John Stevenson (composer)
Sir John Andrew Stevenson was an Irish composer of classical music. He is best known for his publications of Irish Melodies with poet Thomas Moore...
.
In Boston Graupner ran a music store at no. 6 Franklin Street
Franklin Street (Boston)
Franklin Street is located in the Financial District of Boston, Massachusetts. It was developed at the end of the 18th century by Charles Bulfinch, and included the now-demolished Tontine Crescent and Franklin Place.-See also:...
, where he also lived. The store later moved to Marlboro Street and towards the end of his life he lived in Province House Court. He died in Boston in 1836.
Further reading
- H. Earle Johnson, "The Musical Von Hagens". New England Quarterly, vol. 16, no. 1 (March, 1943), pp. 110-117.
- Michael Broyles, "Music and Class Structure in Antebellum Boston", Journal of the American Musicological Society, vol. 44, no. 3 (Autumn, 1991), pp. 451-493.
External links
- WorldCat. Graupner, Gottlieb 1767-1836
- New York Public Library. Pencil drawing of Graupner, by Mackenzie.