Homepage >
Musicians Related to C.P.E. Bach >
Friedrich II (The Great) >
Musical Preferences of Frederick the Great
This site introduces unknown Emanuel Bach (C. P. E. Bach).
Musical Preferences of Frederick the Great
I asked ChatGPT4o: "What kind of music did Frederick the Great love?"
Frederick the Great (Frederick II) had a profound love for music, especially favoring a wide repertoire centered around the flute. His musical tastes and preferences significantly influenced the music world of the 18th century. Below is an overview of the characteristics of the music Frederick loved and his musical activities.
1. Flute Music
- Frederick the Great as a Flutist: Frederick the Great was an accomplished flutist who regularly performed. He greatly enjoyed playing the flute and often performed numerous flute sonatas and flute concertos.
- Commissions for Flute Works: He frequently commissioned court composers to create flute works. Notably, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (C.P.E. Bach) and Carl Friedrich Christian Fasch (C.F.C. Fasch) composed flute pieces for Frederick the Great.
2. Italian Opera and Opera Seria
- Opera Enthusiast: Frederick the Great had a deep appreciation for opera, particularly Italian opera. He constructed an opera theater at his court and hosted numerous opera performances.
- Composers: Composers such as Carl Heinrich Graun and Johann Adolf Hasse composed and staged operas at Frederickʼs court.
3. Music from the Transition between Baroque and Rococo
- Galant Style: Frederick the Great favored the "Galant Style," which bridged Baroque and Classical music. This style is characterized by clear, elegant melodies and concise forms.
- Empfindsamer Stil (Sensitive Style): He particularly admired the "Empfindsamer Stil" of Emanuel Bach, a style rich in emotional expression and often featuring free forms.
4. Chamber Music and Orchestral Music
- Chamber Music: Frederick the Great enjoyed performing chamber music and frequently held performances within the court. He often played the flute alongside his court musicians.
- Orchestra: The royal orchestra was renowned for its high quality, performing many symphonies and concertos under the guidance of composers like Emanuel Bach and Fasch.
5. Sacred Music
- Protestant Church Music: While sacred music also held an important place, Frederick the Great particularly supported Protestant church music.
Specific Examples
- Emanuel Bachʼs Flute Sonatas: The flute sonatas composed by Emanuel Bach at Frederickʼs court (e.g., Wq. 123-131) and his flute concertos reflect Frederickʼs musical preferences.
- Graunʼs Operas: The operas of Carl Heinrich Graun played a significant role in satisfying Frederickʼs love for opera.
Frederick the Greatʼs love and patronage of music transformed his court into a major European musical center, attracting many distinguished composers and performers. His musical preferences greatly influenced the cultural and musical development of his court.