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Like many of his fellow Czech composers and perfomers, Franz Krommer (originally spelled Franciscus Vincentius Křamar) had gravitated to Vienna under the influence of the cities’ artistic and cultural attraction and, as a result became one of the most successful composers of his time. He left more than 300 compositions in most genres, except opera and piano.

Despite the suggestion that Krommer was an intellectual lightweight compared with many of his contemporaries, in the opinion of this writer his music shows originality, high technical competence and is well worth listening to as one of the “first division” (behind the Premier League of Haydn, Beethoven etc.).

Quite a lot of Krommer’s music is now available on CD. Of particular note are his “Harmonien” for wind ensemble (Naxos, et al.), a number of concertos for flute, clarinet and concertante and less wellknown but of no lesser quality are Bruno Meier’s recordings of the 9 flute quintets. Chandos have recorded two of the nine known symphonies in their “Contemporaries of Mozart” series. Recordings of Krommer’s many string quartets and quintets are yet to emerge – although there is an increasing amount of wind & strings chamber music CDs to be found.

(Contribution by Adrian House <adrian.housentlworld.com>.)

Born as Fransek Vincenc Kramar at Kamenice (Kamenitz, Southern Moravia), the son of an innkeeper who later became mayor of Kamenice, he studied organ and violin with his uncle Anton Matthias Kramar near Brno. Kramar then had various appointments with nobility in Simontormnya , Pecs et al., before settling in Vienna in 1795 (some accounts say 1785).

By this time, Kramar had renamed himself Franz Krommer, adapting to life in Vienna and developing a reputation as a violin tutor as well as a useful conductor and composer. However, attempts to gain a position at the royal palace were unsuccessful until 1815, when he was appointed Imperial Court Composer, and in 1818 Krommer succeeded his countryman Leopold Kozeluh as Kammer-Kapellmeister. This role lapsed after his death in 1831.

By the time of his appointment as Kapellmeister, Krommer was widely known and published as a composer, and accompanied Emperor Franz I on his travels through France and Italy – where the musician was himself well received by the local conservatories.

“He was a simple man, friendly, cheerful and very good-hearted – the battle between literature and aesthetics interested him just as little as did the wars of Kings and peoples; he lived in his own private peaceful world – a Hellenistic being, transformed into the figure of a bourgeois musician with a wig and a lace jabot, short trousers and buckled shoes” (von Riehl – “Musikalische Charakterköpfe”, circa 1850).

(Contribution by Adrian House <adrian.housentlworld.com>.)

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