Composer of the Month 1/2012: Frederick the Great (selected by Peter van Dessel / Belgium)

Berlin 14.8.1986    Germany 14.8.1986 The video shows the flutist Kim Pineda and members of "Baroque Northwest" performing the Allegro from "Sonata V" composed by Frederick the Great. Friedrich II. (Frederick the Great), who was born in Berlin on 24 January 1712, became King of Prussia in 1740 and starting from 1772 also prince elector of Brandenburg. He was very interested in any kind of art, played very well transverse flute and composed, supported by his flute teacher Johann Joachim Quantz. It is nearly unkown that Frederick the Great is the composer of today's Spanish National Anthem "Marcha Real". Frederick's court orchestra played a major role in the music life of that time. Among others Johann Joachim Quantz, Franz Benda, Johann Gottlieb Graun and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach were members of this orchestra. In 1747 Frederick the Great met with Johann Sebastian Bach in Sanssouci. During this meeting Bach wrote his famous "Musikalische Opfer" based on a "Royal Thema" given by the king. Frederick the Great died on 17. August 1786 in Potsdam. In January 2012 his birthday comes up for the 300th time. More composer can be found in the members only section