Christian Ernst Graf Explained

Christian Ernst Friedrich Graf (Rudolstadt, 30 June 1723 – The Hague, 17 July 1804) was a Dutch Kapellmeister and composer of German descent. He was Kapellmeister to William V, Prince of Orange and resident in the Netherlands from 1762, where he changed the spelling of his name to Graaf.^[1]

He was the son of Kapellmeister (1684–1750) and brother of the flautist Friedrich Hartmann Graf.^[2] He composed multiple symphonies as well as concertos and songs.

Works

• Op. 1 Sinfonia voor Orkest in C (Symphony for Orchestra in C)
• Symphony No. 1 in F major
• Symphony in D
• Cello Concerto No. 1 in D major for cello and orchestra (1777)
• Laat ons juichen, Batavieren! for tenor and harpsichord (1766)
• De pruimeboom (Jantje zag eens pruimen hangen) for baritone and harpsichord, poem by Hieronymus van Alphen

Notes and References

1. Clarissa Campbell Orr Queenship in Britain, 1660-1837- 2002 - Page 175 "...Christian Ernst Graf, the most important Dutch composer in the second half of the eighteenth ..."
2. Bertil H. Van Boer Historical Dictionary of Music of the Classical Period 2012- Page 239 "The son of Kapellmeister Johann Graf (1684–1750) and brother to Christian Ernst Graf, he joined a military regiment in 1743, being wounded and interned during the Seven Years' War. In 1759 upon his release he moved to Hamburg, and in ..."