Karel Stamic (7.5.1745 Mannheim - 9.11.1801 Jena)
remarkable Czech-originated German compositor (in Germany known as Karl Philipp Stamitz). The oldest son and pupil of Jan Vaclav Stamic. He played several instruments as a child. In his age of 11 his father died. He got further musical education form father's musical friends (mainly F.X.Brixi whom he later joined in Strassbourg). In the age of 17 he became the second violinist of the Mannheim Orchestra. In 1770 he became the court compositor of the Count de Noailles in Paris. He performed successful concerts all over Europe (mostly in Germany, Holland and England, often with his younger brother Anton). In about 1780 he moved to Hague and worked as a violinist at the court of William the 5th, Prince of Orange. The last years of his life he spent in Jena working as a bandmaster and university teacher.
He wrote symphonies and concert compositions in which he approved his mastership in sonata form. In this regard, he was a successful continuator of his father's work and the Mannheim School. His compositions are melodical, however he often uses the same themes repeatedly. His most precious works are concertant symphonies (D-Major for Orchestra, F-Major for 7 instruments). Also well known are his clarinet concertos written in 1770-1790. Many of his works have not been preserved.
Works:
Sources:
Wikipedia
Mala encyklopedie hudby (book by dr. Jar. Smolka; &kolektiv, Supraphon 1983)
Samples (MP3):
Orchestraln quartet in F Major op. 4/4 (Independent Chamber Orchestra Boemia, cond. Hynek Farkač, CD Klenoty vazne hudby, GZ Lodenice 1992)
Flute concerto in D Major (I. Allegro, rec. Slovak Chamber Orchestra, CD Vivaldi-Stamic: Flute Concertos, Selected Sound Carrier 1995)