Johann Joachim Quantz

Born: 1697-01-30 (Scheden, Germany)
Died: 1773-07-12 (Potsdam, Germany)

Johann Joachim Quantz was a German flutist, flute maker and Baroque music composer.
Quantz was originally a double bass player and only found his way to the flute when he was 30 years old. On this instrument he became one of the most respected virtuosos of his time. He introduced some important mechanical improvements to the flute, adding a second key and inventing a device to tune the flute. After appearing in all the important musical centers of Europe, Quantz gave a performance to Crown Prince Friedrich (later King of Prussia) in Berlin in 1728 and thereafter became his flute teacher. King Friedrich II then brought Quantz to Berlin and made him chief court musician and court composer. Quantz left about 300 concertos for one or two flutes and about 200 flute pieces, including trio sonatas. He also set odes by the poet Christian Fürchtegott Gellert (1715-1769) to music.