Bernhard Molique


Bernhard Molique was a German violinist and composer.

Biography

He was born in Nuremberg. His father was a musician and the boy studied various instruments, but finally devoted himself to the violin. In 1815, he received some lessons from Louis Spohr, and then studied the violin for two years at the University of Munich under Pietro Rovelli.

Career

In 1820, Molique succeeded Rovelli as court violinist in Munich and, after several successful tours, in 1826 he became music director at Stuttgart. His pupils there included the violinist Henry Blagrove; the violinist, conductor and composer Alfred Mellon; and the composer Jane Roeckel. Molique was well received on a visit to London when he played his own Piano Concerto No 5 on 14 May 1840. He visited England several other times before settling in London from 1849 until 1866. He died in Cannstatt in 1869.

Compositions

As a composer, Molique was unapologetically self-taught. His music displays the influence of Beethoven, Mozart, Mendelssohn and, especially, Louis Spohr. The then radical developments represented by Berlioz and the New German School left Molique untouched, however.
As well as the five piano concertos Molique wrote six violin concertos and a popular Cello Concerto that was successfully played in Baden-Baden, by Léon Jacquard, conducted by Hector Berlioz, on August 27, 1860. He also wrote a Symphony, eight string quartets, the Piano Trio op.27 and the Concertina Concerto
as well an oratorio Abraham, two masses and many songs.

Selected Compositions

  • Chamber music
  • *String Quartets, Opp. 16 and 17
  • *Three String Quartets, Op. 18
  • *First grand trio concertante for piano, violin and violoncello, Op. 27
  • *Sixth String Quartet, Op. 28 in F minor
  • *Quintet for flute, violin, violas, violoncello, Op. 35, D major
  • *Seventh String Quartet in B-flat major Op. 42
  • *Eighth String Quartet, Op. 44 in A minor
  • *Second Piano Trio, Op. 52 in F major
  • *Sonata for Concertina and Piano, Op. 57
  • *Piano Quartet, Op. 71 in E-flat major
  • Concertante works
  • *Concertino in F minor for violin, Op. 1
  • *Violin Concerto no. 1 in E major Op. 4
  • *Violin Concerto no. 2 in A major, Op. 9
  • *Violin Concerto no. 3 in D minor, Op. 10
  • *Violin Concerto no. 4 in D major Op. 14
  • *Violin Concerto no. 5 in A minor, Op. 21
  • *Violin Concerto no. 6 in E minor Op. 30
  • *Cello Concerto in D, Op. 45
  • *Concertino for Oboe and Orchestra in G minor
  • *Flute Concerto in D minor, Op. 69
  • *Clarinet Concerto in F minor, 1824
  • *6 Flying leaves op. 50
  • *Serenade and Six characteristic pieces op. 61
  • *6 Songs without words for concertina and harp
  • *Concerto No. 1 in G op. 46 for concertina and string orchestra
  • *Concerto No. 2 for concertina and string orchestra
  • Oratorio
  • *Abraham, Op. 65
  • Liturgical
  • *Mass in F minor, op. 22.