Composer
Johann Christian Fischer
German composer and oboist
1733–1800
2 works and musical collections
- Born
- 1733
- Died
- 1800
- Birthplace
- Freiburg im Breisgau
- Place of death
- London
- Citizenship / historical state
- Germany
- Period (estimated from birth year)
- Classical
Biography
Johann Christian Fischer (c. 1733 – 29 April 1800) was a German composer and oboist, one of the best-known oboe soloists in Europe during the 1770s.
Employed as a music copyist and theatre director for the Duke of Mecklenburg-Schwerin at Ludwigslust, Fischer is now credited with the unique Symphony with Eight Obbligato Timpani, formerly attributed to Johann Wilhelm Hertel, court composer at Schwerin. He spent some time in Dresden, but left after the Prussian occupation in the Seven Years' War for extensive concertizing tours, ending in London, where he was active as a performer, composer, and a teacher, and introduced the Continental narrow-bore model of oboe that replaced the bright and penetrating straight-topped English type. In London Fischer joined the largely German "Queen's Band" of George III's German Queen, Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.
Fischer was a contemporary of Thomas Gainsborough, and in fact, they were friends. Fischer formed an attachment with Gainsborough's daughter Mary ("Molly") while he carried on flirtation with Gainsborough's other daughter Margaret ("Peggy"). In February 1780, Fischer married Mary, but the marriage only lasted 8 months due to their discord and Fischer's deceit.
Fischer published several teaching manuals for the oboe, with varying titles: The Compleat Tutor for the Hautboy (ca 1770), New and Complete Instructions for the Oboe or Hoboy (ca 1780) and The Hoboy Preceptor (1800). Among his students was composer and oboist Charles J. Suck.
An etching/aquatint A Sunday concert by Charles Loraine Smith, published 4 June 1782, shows a distinguished musical group gathered round a harpsichord, with Fischer and Charles Burney among them.
Mozart composed a set of Twelve Variations in C on a Menuett of Johann Christian Fischer (K.179 [189a]).
Biography excerpt from Wikipedia contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting and reference markers have been removed; the introduction may be shortened. View contributors and article history.
Life and musical career
- Instruments played
- oboe
- Languages used
- German
- VIAF ID
- 4868149296241280670004
- ISNI
- 0000000107922049
- GND ID
- 104106271
- Library of Congress ID
- n86143378
- MusicBrainz ID
- c0571410-d2e6-4cef-a13c-85de4a14cd8a
Recorded in Wikidata. Affiliations may refer to earlier stages of the composer's career.
In this catalogue
- Common listed instruments
- Piano
- Genres represented
- Classical
- Source entries with composition dates
- 0
These details describe the indexed sheet music, including arrangements.
Catalogue
Sheet music catalogue
Instruments describe listed editions, including arrangements. Composition dates and keys appear where recorded; collection pages show their individual contents.
| Title | Work details | Listed instruments | Sheet music |
|---|---|---|---|
| Twelve Variations, K 179 (189a) | See work details |
| View sheet music |
| Six Duettes a Deux Fluttes Traversieres | See work details | See edition details | View sheet music |
Biographical record: Wikidata, matched on name and checked against dates held in the catalogue. The period label is an estimate from birth year. Authority record: VIAF 4868149296241280670004. Portrait: Thomas Gainsborough, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.