1751 in music explained

Events

1751 is the year commonly given as the beginning of the classical era
The "War of the Buffoons" (La Querelle des Bouffons), concerning the relative merits of French and Italian opera, divides Paris.
Francesco Geminiani publishes "The Art of Playing on the Violin" in London.

Charles Avison – 6 Concertos in 7 Parts, Op. 3
Johann Sebastian Bach – Kunst der Fuge with appendix of Chorale prelude BWV 668a (posthumously)
Charles Burney – 6 Cornet Pieces for Organ
Armand-Louis Couperin – , in his Pieces de Clavesin
Antoine Dauvergne – Concerts de Simphonies
Pierre-Claude Foucquet – Second Livre de Pièces de Clavecin
- - Johann Adolphe Hasse Mass in D minor
- Oh Dio partir conviene
Wilhelm Gommaar Kennis – 6 Trio Sonatas, Op. 2
Niccolò Pasquali – Raccolta di overture, e symphonie... (London)
Peter Pasqualino – 6 Cello Duets, Op. 2 (London: John Johnson)
John Francis Wade – Cantus Diversi including Adeste Fideles ("O Come All Ye Faithful")

Pasquale Cafaro – Ipermestra
Baldassare Galuppi – Antigona
- - Carl Heinrich Graun Britannico, GraunWV B:I:24
- L'Armida GraunWV B:I:23, premiered Mar. 27 in Berlin
Johann Adolf Hasse – Ciro Riconosciuto
Joseph Haydn – Der Krumme Teufel (singspiel)
Niccolò Jommelli – La villana nobile; Ifigenia in Aulide
- - Jean-Philippe Rameau Acante et Céphise
- La Guirlande, RCT 42
Giuseppe Sarti – Pompeo in Armenia
Domingo Terradellas – Sesostri re d'Egitto

January 18 – Ferdinand Kauer, pianist and composer (died 1831)
February 9 – Antoine Bullant, bassoonist and composer (died 1821)
March 5 – Jan Křtitel Kuchař, composer
March 29 – Supply Belcher, singer, composer and compiler of tune books (died 1836)
July 30 – Maria Anna Mozart ("Nannerl"), Austrian musician and composer, sister of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (d. 1829)
date unknown – Blas de Laserna, composer