Carl Friedrich Abel

Carl Friedrich Abel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1 of 9
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Friedrich_Abel
Carl Friedrich Abel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Carl Friedrich Abel (22 December 1723[n 1] 20 June 1787)[2][3]

was a German composer of the Classical era. He was a renowned
player of the viola da gamba, and composed important music for
that instrument.
Contents
1
2
3
4
5
6
Life
Life
Selected works by opus number
Works list
Notes and references
Sources
External links
Portrait of Carl Friedrich Abel
by Thomas Gainsborough,
1777
Abel was born in Kthen,[3][4] a small German city, where his father, Christian Ferdinand Abel, had
worked for years as the principal viola da gamba and cello player in the court orchestra. In 1723
Abel senior became director of the orchestra, when the previous director, Johann Sebastian Bach,
moved to Leipzig. The young Abel later boarded at Leipzig's Thomasschule, where he was taught
by Bach.
On Bach's recommendation in 1743 he was able to join Johann Adolph Hasse's court orchestra at
Dresden where he remained for fifteen years.[3][5] In 1759 (or 1758 according to Chambers),[1] he
went to England and became chamber-musician to Queen Charlotte, in 1764.[3][5] He gave a
concert of his own compositions in London, performing on various instruments, one of which was a
five-string cello known as a pentachord, which had been recently invented by John Joseph
Merlin.[6]
In 1762, Johann Christian Bach, the eleventh son of J.S. Bach, joined him in London, and the
friendship between him and Abel led, in 1764 or 1765, to the establishment of the famous
Bach-Abel concerts, England's first subscription concerts. In those concerts, many celebrated guest
artists appeared, and many works of Haydn received their first English performance.
For ten years the concerts were organized by Mrs. Theresa Cornelys, a retired Venetian opera singer
who owned a concert hall at Carlisle House in Soho Square, then the height of fashionable events.
10/4/2016 4:32 PM
2 of 9
In 1775 the concerts became independent of her, to be continued by Abel and Bach until Bach's
death in 1782. Abel still remained in great demand as a player on various instruments new and old.
He traveled to Germany and France between 1782 and 1785, and upon his return to London,
became a leading member of the Grand Professional Concerts at the Hanover Square Rooms in
Soho. Throughout his life he had enjoyed excessive living, and his drinking probably hastened his
death, which occurred in London on 20 June 1787. He was buried in the churchyard of St Pancras
Old Church.
One of Abel's works became famous due to a misattribution: in the 19th century, a manuscript
symphony in the hand of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, was catalogued as his Symphony no. 3 in E
flat, K. 18, and was published as such in the first complete edition of Mozart's works by Breitkopf
& Hrtel. Later, it was discovered that this symphony was actually the work of Abel, copied by the
boy Mozartevidently for study purposeswhile he was visiting London in 1764. That symphony
was originally published as the concluding work in Abel's Six Symphonies, Op. 7.
Selected works by opus number

(adapted from the listing in the article on Abel at
fr.wikipedia.org)
Allegro, WKO 205 from 27

Pieces for Unaccompanied Viola
da Gamba
Performed by Phillip W. Serna
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Op. 1: 6 Overtures or Sinfonias (1761)
Op. 2: 6 Sonatas for Keyboard and Violin and
Allegro from 27 Pieces for
Cello (ad libitum) (1760)
Unaccompanied Viola da Gamba
Op. 3: 6 Trio Sonatas for 2 Violins and Basso
Continuo (1762)
Op. 4: 6 Overtures or Sinfonias (1762)
Op. 5: 6 Sonatas for Keyboard and Violin and
Cello (ad libitum) (1762)
Op. 6: 6 Sonatas for Keyboard and Flute
Sonata in G-Major, WKO155 for
(1763)
Unaccompanied Viola da Gamba
Op. 7: 6 Symphonies (1767)
Op. 8: 6 String Quartets (1768)
Op. 9: 6 Trio Sonatas for Violin, Cello and
Basso Continuo (1771)
Op. 11: 6 Concerti for Keyboard and Strings
(1771)
Op. 12: 6 Flute Quartets (1774)
Op. 13: 6 Sonatas for Keyboard and Violin (1777)
Op. 15: 6 String Quartets (1780)
Op. 16: 4 Trio Sonatas for 2 Flutes and Basso Continuo (1781)
Op. 16: 6 Trio Sonatas for Violin, Viola and Cello (1782)
10/4/2016 4:32 PM
3 of 9

Op. 18: 6 Sonatas for Keyboard and Violin (1784)
Works list
Collapsed list
Symphony Op. 1 No.1 in B flat major, WK 1
Symphony Op. 1 No.2 in C major, WK 2
Symphony Op. 1 No.3 in D major, WK 3
Symphony Op. 1 No.4 in E flat major, WK 4
Symphony Op. 1 No.5 in F major, WK 5
Symphony Op. 1 No.6 in G major, WK 6
Symphony Op. 7 No.4 in F major, WK 16
Symphony Op. 10 No.1 in E major, WK 19
Symphony Op. 10 No.6 in A major, WK 24
Symphony in C major, WK 37
Symphony in B flat major, WK 38
10/4/2016 4:32 PM
4 of 9
Symphony in E flat major, WK 39

Symphony in B flat major, WK 40
Symphony in D major, WK 41
Sinfonia concertante for oboe quartet in B flat major, WK 42
Sinfonia concertante for oboe quartet in D major, WK 43
Periodical Overture in D major, WK 44
Overture to 'Love in a village' in D major, WK 45a
Overture to 'The summer's tale' in B flat major, WK 45b
Flute Concerto No.1 in C major, WK 46
Flute Concerto No.2 in E minor, WK 47
Flute Concerto No.3 in D major, WK 48
Flute Concerto No.5 in G major, WK 50
Cello Concerto in B flat major, WK 52
Keyboard Concerto Op. 11 No.1 in F major, WK 53
Keyboard Concerto Op. 11 No.2 in B flat major, WK 54
Keyboard Concerto Op. 11 No.3 in E flat major, WK 55
Keyboard Concerto Op. 11 No.4 in D major, WK 56
Keyboard Concerto Op. 11 No.5 in G major, WK 57
Keyboard Concerto Op. 11 No.6 in C major, WK 58
Flute Concerto No.7 in D major, WK 59
Cello Concerto in C major, WK 60
String Quartet Op. 8 No.1 in F major, WK 61
String Quartet Op. 8 No.2 in B flat major, WK 62
String Quartet Op. 8 No.3 in E flat major, WK 63
String Quartet Op. 8 No.4 in D major, WK 64
String Quartet Op. 8 No.5 in A major, WK 65
Flute Quartet Op. 12 No.1 in C major, WK 67
Flute Quartet Op. 12 No.2 in A major, WK 68
Flute Quartet Op. 12 No.3 in F major, WK 69
Flute Quartet Op. 12 No.4 in D major, WK 70
Flute Quartet Op. 12 No.5 in B flat major, WK 71
Flute Quartet Op. 12 No.6 in G major, WK 72
String Quartet Op. 15 No.1 in E major, WK 73
String Quartet Op. 15 No.2 in C major, WK 74
String Quartet Op. 15 No.3 in E flat major, WK 75
String Quartet Op. 15 No.4 in G major, WK 76
String Quartet Op. 15 No.6 in A major, WK 78
Raccolta for keyboard in C major, WK 79a
Raccolta for keyboard in B flat major, WK 79b
Trio Sonata Op. 3 No.1 in G major, WK 80
Trio Sonata Op. 3 No.2 in C major, WK 81
Trio Sonata Op. 3 No.3 in B flat major, WK 82
10/4/2016 4:32 PM
5 of 9
Trio Sonata Op. 3 No.4 in D major, WK 83

Trio Sonata Op. 3 No.5 in A major, WK 84
Trio Sonata Op. 3 No.6 in E flat major, WK 85
Trio Sonata Op. 9 No.1 in A major, WK 86
Trio Sonata Op. 9 No.2 in C major, WK 87
Trio Sonata Op. 9 No.3 in G major, WK 88
Trio Sonata Op. 9 No.4 in B flat major, WK 89
Trio Sonata Op. 9 No.5 in D major, WK 90
Trio Sonata Op. 9 No.6 in F major, WK 91
Trio Sonata Op. 16a No.1 in G major, WK 92
Trio Sonata Op. 16a No.2 in D major, WK 93
Trio Sonata Op. 16a No.3 in C major, WK 94
Trio Sonata Op. 16a No.4 in A major, WK 95
Trio Sonata Op. 16a No.5 in D major, WK 96
Trio Sonata Op. 16a No.6 in G major, WK 97
Trio Sonata Op. 16b No.1 in G major, WK 98
Trio Sonata Op. 16b No.2 in D major, WK 99
Trio Sonata Op. 16b No.3 in C major, WK 100
Trio Sonata Op. 16b No.4 in G major, WK 101
Trio Sonata for 2 violins & cello in A major, WK 102
Trio Sonata for 2 violins & cello in A major, WK 103
Trio Sonata for 2 flutes & cello in G major, WK 104
Trio Sonata for 2 flutes & cello in D major, WK 105
Trio Sonata for 2 flutes & cello in F major, WK 107
Trio Sonata for 2 flutes & cello in C minor, WK 108
Trio Sonata for 2 flutes & cello in D major, WK 110a
Trio Sonata for 2 flutes & cello in G major, WK 110b
Trio Sonata for 2 flutes & cello in C major, WK 110c
Trio Sonata for 2 flutes & cello in B flat major, WK 110d
Trio Sonata for 2 flutes & cello in C major, WK 110e
Trio Sonata for 2 flutes & cello in C major, WK 110f
Keyboard Trio Op. 2 No.1 in C major, WK 111
Keyboard Trio Op. 2 No.2 in F major, WK 112
Keyboard Trio Op. 2 No.3 in D major, WK 113
Keyboard Trio Op. 2 No.4 in B flat major, WK 114
Keyboard Trio Op. 2 No.5 in G major, WK 115
Keyboard Trio Op. 2 No.6 in E flat major, WK 116
Keyboard Trio Op. 5 No.1 in B flat major, WK 117
Keyboard Trio Op. 5 No.2 in G major, WK 118
Keyboard Trio Op. 5 No.3 in E major, WK 119
Keyboard Trio Op. 5 No.4 in C major, WK 120
Keyboard Trio Op. 5 No.5 in A major, WK 121
Keyboard Trio Op. 5 No.6 in F major, WK 122
10/4/2016 4:32 PM
6 of 9
Flute Sonata Op. 6 No.1 in C major, WK 123

Flute Sonata Op. 6 No.2 in G major, WK 124
Flute Sonata Op. 6 No.4 in E major, WK 126
Flute Sonata Op. 6 No.5 in F major, WK 127
Violin Sonata Op. 13 No.1 in G major, WK 129
Violin Sonata Op. 13 No.2 in F major, WK 130
Violin Sonata Op. 13 No.3 in A major, WK 131
Violin Sonata Op. 13 No.4 in B flat major, WK 132
Violin Sonata Op. 13 No.5 in C major, WK 133
Violin Sonata Op. 13 No.6 in E flat major, WK 134
Violin Sonata Op. 18 No.1 in G major, WK 135
Violin Sonata Op. 18 No.2 in A major, WK 136
Violin Sonata Op. 18 No.3 in C major, WK 137
Violin Sonata Op. 18 No.4 in E flat major, WK 138
Violin Sonata Op. 18 No.5 in B flat major, WK 139
Violin Sonata Op. 18 No.6 in F major, WK 140
Violin Sonata in C major, WK 140a
Keyboard Sonata in B flat major, WK 140b
Sonata for viola da gamba No. 1 in C major, WK 141
Sonata for viola da gamba No. 2 in A major, WK 142
Sonata for viola da gamba No. 3 in D major, WK 143
Sonata for viola da gamba No. 4 in G major, WK 144
Sonata for viola da gamba No. 6 in E minor, WK 146
Sonata for viola da gamba No.10 in E minor, WK 150
Sonata for viola da gamba No.11 in C major, WK 151
Sonata for viola da gamba No.12 in G major, WK 152
Sonata for viola da gamba No.14 in D major, WK 154
Sonata for viola da gamba No.17 in E minor, WK 157
Sonata for viola da gamba No.23 in A major, WK 163
10/4/2016 4:32 PM
7 of 9

Sonata for viola da gamba No.35 in A minor, WK 175
Sonata for viola da gamba No.36 in F minor, WK 176
Arpeggio for viola da gamba in D major, WK 185
Allegro for viola da gamba in D major, WK 186
Piece for viola da gamba in D major, WK 187
Tempo fi minuetto for viola da gamba in D major, WK 188
Adagio for viola da gamba in D major, WK 189
Vivace for viola da gamba in D major, WK 190
Andante for viola da gamba in D major, WK 191
Fuga for viola da gamba in D major, WK 196
Allegro for viola da gamba in D major, WK 198
Tempo di minuetto for viola da gamba in D major, WK 200
Tempo di minuetto for viola da gamba in D major, WK 201
Con variatione for viola da gamba in D major, WK 204
Piece for viola da gamba in D minor, WK 205
Allegro for viola da gamba in D minor, WK 207
Adagio for viola da gamba in D minor, WK 209
Minuetto for viola da gamba in D major, WK 210
Allegretto for viola da gamba in A major, WK 211
Allegro for viola da gamba in A major, WK 212
10/4/2016 4:32 PM
8 of 9
Minuet for keyboard in C major, WK 213

Minuet for keyboard in D major, WK 214
Minuet for keyboard in G major, WK 215
Minuet for keyboard in G major, WK 216
March in F major, WK 217
March in B flat major, WK 222
Andante for string quartet in E flat major, WK 224
Flute Quartet in F major, WK 225
Flute Quartet in D major, WK 226
Flute Quartet with viola da gamba in G major, WK 227
Cello Duet in D major, WK 228
Concertino for 2 clarinets in E flat major (lost), WK 229
5 adagios for string quartet, WK 230
Dolly's eyes are so bright, WK 231
4 soli for flute (lost), WK 232
Frena le belle lagrime, WK deest
Notes and references

Notes
1. The Chambers Biographical Dictionary gives his year of birth erroneously as 1725.[1]
References
1. Chambers Biographical Dictionary, ISBN 0-550-18022-2, page 3
2. Randel, Don Michael, editor (1996). "Carl Friedrich Abel". The Harvard biographical dictionary of
music. Cambridge, Mass.: Belknap Press of Harvard Univ. Press. pp. 12. ISBN 0-674-37299-9.
3. Hoiberg, Dale H., ed. (2010). "Abel, Carl Friedrich". Encyclopedia Britannica. I: A-ak Bayes (15th ed.).
Chicago, IL: Encyclopedia Britannica Inc. p. 24. ISBN 978-1-59339-837-8.
4. "Abel, Karl Friedrich" in Chambers's Encyclopdia. London: George Newnes, 1961, Vol. 1, p. 7.
5. Sadie, Stanley, ed. (2001). "Carl [Karl] Friedrich Abel". The New Grove Dictionary of Music and
Musicians. I A-Aristotle (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Grove's Dicitonaries Inc. pp. 1518.
ISBN 1-56159-239-0.
6. Freiberg, Sarah. Conversation with Magical Merlin (http://www.cello.org/Newsletter/Articles
/merlin.htm), Internet Cello Society. Retrieved 29 January 2009.
Sources
10/4/2016 4:32 PM
9 of 9
Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Abel, Karl Friedrich". Encyclopdia Britannica (11th ed.).
Cambridge University Press.
S. M. Helm: Carl Friedrich Abel, Symphonist. London 1953
External links
Free scores by Carl Friedrich Abel at the International
Music Score Library Project
Portraits of Carl Friedrich Abel (http://www.npg.org.uk
/collections/search/person.php?LinkID=mp00006) at the
National Portrait Gallery, London
Wikimedia Commons
has media related to
Carl Friedrich Abel.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Carl_Friedrich_Abel&

oldid=741518302"
Categories: 1723 births 1787 deaths People from Kthen People from Anhalt-Kthen
German classical composers German male composers German composers
Classical-period composers German viol players 18th-century classical composers
18th-century German people Burials at St Pancras Old Church
Pupils of Johann Sebastian Bach Alcohol-related deaths in the United Kingdom
This page was last modified on 28 September 2016, at 00:55.
Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional
terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Wikipedia is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit
organization.
10/4/2016 4:32 PM

Carl Friedrich Abel

Încărcat de

Informații document

Drepturi de autor

Formate disponibile

Partajați acest document

Partajați sau inserați document

Opțiuni de partajare

Vi se pare util acest document?

Este necorespunzător acest conținut?

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Carl Friedrich Abel

Încărcat de

Drepturi de autor:

Formate disponibile

Carl Friedrich Abel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia