Johann simon hermstedt biography definition

In 1808, Duke Günther Friedrich Karl I of Sondershausen commissioned a concerto for the director of his wind band, Johann Simon Hermstedt (1778-1846), to be written by Louis Spohr (1784-1859). He wrote of his reaction to the commission, and of his admiration for Hermstedt’s playing, in his Autobiography:

‘To this proposal I gladly assented, as from the immense execution, together with the brilliancy of tone, and purity of intonation possessed by Hermstedt, I felt at full liberty to give the reins to my fancy.

After, that with Hermstedt’s assistance I had made myself somewhat acquainted with the technics of the instrument, I went zealously to work, and completed it in a few weeks. Thus originated the Concerto in E-minor, published a few years afterwards by Kühnel as the op.

26, with which Hermstedt achieved so much success in his artistic tours, that it may be afrmed he is chiefy indebted to that for his fame.’ (Spohr 1865/1969; 124)

 

Weston, in her 2002 work, Clarin