Tromlitz, Johann Georg

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Tromlitz, Johann Georg

Tromlitz, Johann Georg, German flutist, teacher, instrument designer, and composer; b. Reinsdorf über Artern, Nov. 8, 1725; d. Leipzig, Feb. 4, 1805. He began his training in Gera before settling in Leipzig, where he took courses in law at the Univ. and earned the title of Imperial Public Notary. He was 1stflutist in Hiller ’s Grosses Konzert (from 1754), and also toured as a virtuoso. About 1775 he gave up public appearances and devoted himself to teaching and working to improve the flute. Tromlitz’s extant compositions comprise 3 concerts for Flute and String Quartet, and several sonatas for Keyboard, Cello, and Flute or Violin.

Writings

Kurze Abhandlung vom Flötenspielen (Leipzig, 1786); Ausführlicher und gründlicher Unterricht die Flöte zu spielen (Leipzig, 1791; Eng. tr., 1991, by A. Powell as The Virtuoso Flute-Player); Über die Flöten mit mehrern Klappen (Leipzig, 1800; Eng. tr., 1996, by A. Powell as The Keyed Flute);the 2 preceding were later publ. as Flötenschule.

Bibliography

F Demmler, J.G. T (diss., Free Univ. of Berlin, 1961).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire