Biography
European rulers have occasionally received credit for musical works from their periods, most notably in the case of songs once ascribed to Henry VIII of England. Frederick II of Prussia, better known as Frederick the Great, possessed genuine compositional skill together with genuine proficiency as a performer. Organ lessons began for him at the age of seven; at sixteen, in 1728, he commenced flute study with the flautist and composer Johann Joaquim Quantz. Although his father forbade further musical activity, the crown prince assembled a chamber orchestra in 1732 and studied composition with its director, Carl Heinrich Graun.
The flute remained his chosen instrument, and he performed on it for personal enjoyment as often as four times daily. After ascending the throne in 1740, Frederick II secured Quantz’s services at court under exceptionally favorable terms. His engagement with music extended to shaping the style and structure of compositions produced at Potsdam, where only Quantz’s pieces were performed. Quantz ultimately supplied the monarch with 296 flute concertos. Frederick himself produced 122 flute sonatas, four concertos, four symphonies, and numerous smaller pieces, every one of which has been preserved. The four concertos rank among the strongest achievements of this gifted amateur, whose works were created purely for enjoyment.
The flute remained his chosen instrument, and he performed on it for personal enjoyment as often as four times daily. After ascending the throne in 1740, Frederick II secured Quantz’s services at court under exceptionally favorable terms. His engagement with music extended to shaping the style and structure of compositions produced at Potsdam, where only Quantz’s pieces were performed. Quantz ultimately supplied the monarch with 296 flute concertos. Frederick himself produced 122 flute sonatas, four concertos, four symphonies, and numerous smaller pieces, every one of which has been preserved. The four concertos rank among the strongest achievements of this gifted amateur, whose works were created purely for enjoyment.