Gaspard Fritz


Gaspard Fritz was a Genevan violinist and composer of the pre-classical period. He composed symphonies and chamber music.

Life

Fritz was born in Geneva where his father had moved in 1709 where he "taught to play the violin and other musical instruments". In addition to the training undoubtedly followed with his father, the child continued his studies with Giovanni Battista Somis in Turin.
At the age of twenty, he returned to Geneva and married in April 1737. He only undertook a Parisian tour which turned out to be a failure. In 1759, he played for Voltaire.
Fritz's fame outside Geneva is confirmed by correspondence or by the writings of Charles Burney following his trip to Switzerland in 1770. It is known that Handel met the composer and that Locatelli loved the works of the Genevan.
Fritz, within a Calvinist society which did not promote the concert or secular opera, found in the common rooms, "The Common Room of Geneva", societies which brought together the community of English origin in Geneva by special authorisation as early as 1738, a space for private expression where instrumental and lyrical music was produced and appreciated.
Around 1737 until his death at the age of 67 in Geneva, he worked as a violinist and taught the instrument and music.
Between 1742 and 1772, Fritz's success is confirmed by the publication of six opuses in Paris and London, reprints as well as counterfeit editions.

Compositions

  • Concerto a 5, violino principale, 2 violini, alto, basso
  • Sei sonate a quatro stromenti, opus 1
  1. - in C major
  2. - in Bb major
  3. - in A major
  4. - in G major
  5. in F major
  6. in A major
  1. in C major - Allegro, Largo, Vivace
  2. in D major - Adagio, Allegro, Aria
  3. in A major - Largo, Vivace, Largo, Presto
  4. in E minor - Andante, Allegro, Grazioso
  5. in D major - Andante, Allegro, Vivace
  6. in G major - Andante, Allegro, Minuetto
  • Sei sonate a violino solo e basso, opus 3
  • Sei sonate a due violini e basso, opus 4
  • Sei sinfonie a piu strumenti, opus 6
  1. -
  2. -
  3. In G major
  4. -
  5. in F major
  6. in G minor
  1. Allegro
  2. Adagio
  3. Allegro

Modern editions

  • Gaspard Fritz, Œuvres complètes. Xavier Bouvier and Anna Jelmorini and Pascale Darmsteter, series "Musiques à Genève", Université-Conservatoire de musique, 1994–

Recordings