Cramer, Johann Baptist 1771 - 1858
Author: Saitoh, Noriko
Last updated：August 1, 2008
Author: Saitoh, Noriko
1. Origin and Primary Countries of Activity
Born into a musical family in Germany. Among the Cramer family, which had many violinists, Johann Baptist Cramer is the most well-known. The family moved to London when Cramer was a child.
2. Education and Mentorship History
Initially, he studied violin with his father, who was a violinist. However, he showed talent in piano, which he studied under Clementi and others. In addition, he also studied music theory with Abel. Through these studies, by the time he reached 20, Cramer had been exposed to the works of composers such as Clementi, J. S. Bach, C. P. E. Bach, Scarlatti, Haydn, and Mozart. He is said to have been particularly devoted to J. S. Bach, the composer of The Well-Tempered Clavier. Later, when he visited Paris, he acquired numerous manuscript copies of Bach's works.
3. Musical Style
Cramer's works are often described as "conservative." He sought to inherit the lineage of Classical works, beginning with Mozart. However, in reality, within this conservatism, he integrated innovative piano writing for his time.
4. Cramer as a Pianist
Cramer's primary musical activity was piano performance. Cramer, who debuted as a pianist in the spring of 1781, held concerts throughout Europe from the late 1780s and actively participated in private performances. He often performed works by Bach and Mozart. He also introduced Beethoven's piano sonatas in England.
5. Piano Teaching History
He was also involved in piano education. It is said that his lesson fees were high given the economic circumstances of the time.
6. Other Activities
Following his piano teacher, Clementi, he established a music publishing house named after his family in London in 1824. Prior to this, he was a founding member of the Philharmonic Society in 1813 and was appointed a director upon the establishment of the Royal Academy of Music in 1822. He also authored Anweisung das Pianoforte zu spielen (Instructions for Playing the Pianoforte), detailing piano fingering and pedal usage.
7. Associated Composers
In the 1790s, he met Haydn in London and Beethoven in Vienna during a concert tour. He also reunited with Haydn. In addition, he was associated with Hummel, Dussek, Weber, Kalkbrenner, Cherubini, and later met Czerny, Moscheles, Mendelssohn, Liszt, and Berlioz.
8. Trends in Piano Works
Among his piano works, his etudes made a significant contribution to piano education and are still used today. He also composed over 100 sonatas. Generally, sonatas are more prevalent among his early works.
The Publishing House Established by Cramer
Established in 1824, with a piano manufacturer as its predecessor. It was launched as "Cramer, Addison & Beale" with Robert Addison and Thomas Frederick Beale. Its primary business was publishing sheet music for piano works. Approximately five years after its establishment, in 1830, it acquired the printing plates owned by the Royal Harmonic Institution, and began handling works by composers such as Beethoven, Clementi, Haydn, Hummel, and Mozart. In addition to piano works, it also published Italian songs, duets, and operas.
Works(83)
Concerto (1)
concerto (8)
Piano Solo (12)
sonata (35)
rondo (4)
etude (16)
Reduction/Arrangement (2)
Various works (3)
Piano Ensemble (2)
Chamber Music (2)