Hertel, Johann Wilhelm
Hertel, Johann Wilhelm
Hertel, Johann Wilhelm, distinguished German violinist, harpsichordist, and composer; b. Eisenach, Oct. 9, 1727; d. Schwerin, June 14, 1789. His father, Johann Christian Hertel (b. Oettingen, 1699; d. Strelitz, Oct. 1754), was an accomplished violist and composer. Johann Wilhelm studied with J. H. Heil, and began touring as harpsichord accompanist to his father when he was 12. After violin studies with Carl Hockh in Zerbst, he served as violinist and harpsichordist at the Strelitz court (1744–53). He also studied with Franz Benda in Berlin, and then was court composer in Schwerin from 1754. He wrote much vocal music, including masses, Passions, sacred and secular cantatas, and lieder. He also composed syms. and keyboard concertos. Between 1752 and 1784 he wrote 2 autobiographical accounts of his life, which were ed. and publ, by E. Schenk (Graz and Cologne, 1957).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire