Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf - 1. Dittersdorf Is Discovered
Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf (1739-1799) Episode 1 of 5: Dittersdorf Is Discovered First broadcast: Monday 14 July 2014
He was a favourite of the Austrian Emperor and the King of Prussia, and performed in quartets with Mozart and Haydn, this week Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf. Dittersdorf described his own music as "an ample and finely served food". His concertos, operas, string quartets, and over a hundred symphonies made him a rival to Haydn, in the late eighteenth century . It wasn't all glamour for Dittersdorf, who was born plain Carl Ditters. Hard work and the support of a number of princely and religious patrons eventuly brought him fame, elevation to the nobility, and that suitably grand augmentation to his surname. Success didn't last, though. During his final years, Dittersdorf's music went out of fashion and his once lavish lifestyle was gone forever. A few days before he died, he dictated his colourful autobiography to his son.
Dittersdorf, born Carl Ditters in Vienna, soon started to outshine his older brother in music. He was a talented violinist and, when he was twelve, he became employed by an orchestra in one of Vienna's churches. During his career, he composed much music for the violin, including a Concerto in G major, and also his Divertimento in D major for violin, viola and cello. He didn't remain long employed by the Church; his talent was soon spotted by the aristocracy and an offer of employment came from Prince Joseph Friedrich von Saxe-Hildburghausen. Dittersdorf went to live with the Prince, where he received tuition in Latin, French, Italian and of course music. He also met numerous interesting artists at court, including many singers.
Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf Allegro Orchestra: Failoni Orchestra. Conductor: Uwe Grodd. NAXOS: 8553974, NAXOS, 5
Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf Requiem in C minor Singer: Birgit Calm. Conductor: Georg Ratzinger. Choir: Choir of St Peter's Cathedral. Performer: Munich Consort of Music. Singer: Hanna Farinelli. ARS MUSICI: 232221, ARS MUSICI, 2
Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf Divertimento in D major Krebs.131 for string trio Performer: Vienna String Trio. CALIG : CAL-50876, CALIG, 1
Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf Aria: È follia d'un alma stolta, from Giob K319 (1786) Orchestra: Das Kleine Konzert. Conductor: Hermann Max. Choir: Rheinische Kantorei. Singer: Romelia Lichtenstein. CPO: 9997902, CPO, 8
Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf Concerto in G major Krebs.160 for violin and orchestra Performer: Czech Chamber Soloists. Performer: Bohumil Kotmel. Conductor: Leoš Svárovský. PANTON : 8111862, PANTON, 1