German composer, harpsichordist and violinist (1727 - 1789)
This article is about the 18th-century composer. For the similarly-named 20th-century Indologist, see Johannes Hertel.
Johann Wilhelm Hertel.
Johann Wilhelm Hertel (9 October 1727 – 14 June 1789) was a German composer, harpsichord and violin player.
He was born in Eisenach, into a family of musicians. His father, Johann Christian Hertel (1697–1754) was Konzertmeister (from 1733) and director of music at the Eisenach court, while his grandfather, Jakob Christian Hertel (c. 1667-c. 1726), had been Kapellmeister in Oettingen and later Merseburg.
At an early age Johann Wilhelm accompanied his father, an accomplished viola da gamba player, on tour at the harpsichord. He also learned the violin, which he studied with Franz Benda. In 1742 he came with his father to Mecklenburg-Strelitz where he was active playing both instruments. Among his pupils there was Carl Friedrich Christian Fasch (1736–1800). After further music studies in Zerbst and Berlin, Hertel moved to the Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin, where he made a successful career, initially as principal and later becoming court composer, and likewise undertaking teaching. During the reign of Duke Christian Ludwig II, Hertel wrote primarily representative instrumental music, while during the reign of his successor, Frederick II (called 'the pious') he focused on sacred music. In 1770 he was appointed court counsellor and served also as private secretary to princess Ulrike. He died in Schwerin.
Hertel wrote a great number of symphonies, solo concertos, harpsichord sonatas, songs, hymns, cantatas, and oratorios. Much of his work is in the galant style, transitional between Baroque and Classical, and he is considered an important representative of the 'emotional style' (empfindsamer Stil) of the German pre-Classical era.
Works
Sei Sonate per Cembalo, Op. 1, Nürnberg, 1756
Concerto for trumpet and oboe (double concerto) in E flat major
Bassoon Concerto in A minor
Oboe Concerto in G minor
Trumpet Concerto in E-flat major
Sonata a Quattro for two horns and two bassoons (in E flat)
Concerto for 8 kettledrums, wind and strings
Concerto a cinque in D for trumpet, two oboes and two bassoons
Christmas oratorio "Die Geburt Jesu Christi" recorded by Die Kölner Akademie, conducted by Michael Alexander Willens on CPO
Easter Passion cantata "Der sterbende Heiland" recorded by Die Kölner Akademie, conducted by Michael Alexander Willens on CPO
Concerto per la Harpa ó Cembalo F-Major
Concerto per la Harpa ó Cembalo D-Major
Concerto per la Harpa ó Cembalo G-Major
Cello Concerto in A major (1755), recorded by Musica Viva and Alexander Rudin on CHANDOS
Cello Concerto in A minor (1759), recorded by Musica Viva and Alexander Rudin on CHANDOS