De Fesch (also Defesch, du Feche, de Feghe, de Veg), Willem

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De Fesch (also Defesch, du Feche, de Feghe, de Veg), Willem

De Fesch (also Defesch, du Feche, de Feghe, de Veg), Willem , prominent Dutch violinist and composer; b. Alkmaar, 1687; d. London, c.

DEF LEPPARD

1757. He married the daughter of the violinist Karel Rosier, vice- Kapellmeister at the court of the Elector of Cologne in Bonn, in 1711. He most likely studied with Rosier. He was active in Amsterdam (1710–25), and, after serving as Kapelmeester of Antwerp Cathedral (1725–31), he settled in London, where he pursued a career as a violinist and composer until about 1750. He was an accomplished composer, following in the pathway marked out by Vivaldi, Corelli, and Handel. His 2 sets of sonatas, opp. 8a and 8b, are particularly notable.

Works

(all publ. in London unless otherwise given): VOCAL:Canzonette ed arie for Soprano, Basso Continuo, and Violin or Flute (1739); XX canzonette for Soprano, Basso Continue, and Violin, Flute, or Mandolin (c. 1745); VI English Songs for Voice, Violins, Flutes, and Harpsichord (c. 1748); 6 New English Songs for Voice, Violin, Flute, and Harpsichord (1749); Mr. Defesch’s Songs Sung at Marybon-Gardens (1753); various other songs publ. separately; also 3 oratorios (all lost) and a cantata. INSTRUMENTAL :VI duetti for 2 Violins, op.la (Amsterdam, 1716; 2nd ed., Paris, 1738); VI concert: for 4 Violins, Viola, Cello, and Organ, op.2a (Amsterdam, 1716–17); VI concerts: 4 for 4 Violins, Viola, and Basso Continuo and 2 for Oboe, 2 Violins, Cello, and Basso Continuo, op.3a (Amsterdam, 1716–17); XII sonate: 6 for Violin, Violone, and Harpsichord and 6 for 2 Cellos, op.4 (Amsterdam, 1725); VI concerti: 4 for 2 Flutes, 2 Violins, Viola, and Organ and 2 for 4 Violins, Viola, Cello, and Organ, op.5 (Amsterdam, c. 1725–31); VI sonate for Violin or Flute and Organ, op.6 (Brussels, 1725–31); X sonate a tre for 2 Flutes or Violins and Cello or Basso Continuo, op.7 (Amsterdam, 1733); XII Sonatas: 6 for Violin and Basso Continuo and 6 for 2 Cellos, op.Sa (1733; nos. 1–6 ed. in Hortus Musicus, CXXVII-CXXVIII, 1958; nos 7–12 ed. in Moeck’s Kammermusik, XIX-XX, Celle, 1940); 6Sonatas for Cello and Harpsichord, op.8b (1736); Sonatas for 2 Cellos, Bassoons, or Viols, op.lb (Paris, 1738); VI Sonatas for 2 Flutes, op.9 (1739); VIII Concertos in 7 Parts: 6 for 2 Violins, Viola, and Cello, with 2 others for Violin, 1 for Flute with all the other Instruments, and 1 for 2 Flutes, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello, and Harpsichord, op. 10 (1741); Musical Amuzements (1744; also as 30Duets for 2 Flutes, op.ll, 1747); 12 Sonatas for 2 Flutes or Violin and Cello or Harpsichord, op.12 (1748); VI Sonatas for Cello and Harpsi-chord, op.13 (c. 1750).