Schobert, Johann

Schobert, Johann, important composer; b. probably in Silesia, c. 1735; d. Paris, Aug. 28, 1767 (with his entire family, except 1 child, from eating poisonous mushrooms). About 1760 he settled in Paris, where he entered the service of the Prince de Conti. His works show the general characteristics of the Mannheim School, although it cannot be proved that he ever was in that city. Mozart was significantly influenced by him, and reworked and incorporated movements of his scores into his own sonatas and piano concertos. See H. Riemann, ed., Johann Schobert: Ausgewählte Werke, Denkmäler Deutscher Tonkunst, XXXIX (1909).

Works

Le Garde-chasse et le braconnier, opéra- comique (Paris, Jan. 18, 1766); the following were publ. in Paris (1761–67), and many appeared in later eds. with different op. nos.: (2) Sonates for Harpsichord and Violin ad libitum, op.1; 2 Sonates for Harpsichord and Violin ad libitum, op.2; 2 Sonates for Harpsichord and Violin ad libitum, op.1; 2 Sonates for Harpsichord, op.4; (2) Sonates for Harpsichord and Violin ad libitum, op.5; (3) Sonates en trio for Harpsichord and Violin and Cello ad libitum, op.6; (3) Sonates en quatuor for Harpsichord and 2 Violins and Cello ad libitum, op.7; 2 Sonates for Harpsichord and Violin, op.8; (3) Sinfonies for Harpsichord and Violin and Horns ad libitum, op.9; (3) Sinfonies for Harpsichord and Violin and Horns ad libitum, op.10; Concerto I for Harpsichord, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello, and 2 Horns ad libitum, op.11; Concerto II for Harpsichord, 2 Violins, Viola, Cello, 2 Oboes, and 2 Horns ad libitum, op.12; Concerto III pastorale for Harpsichord, 2 Violins, 2 Horns ad libitum, Viola, and Cello, op. 13; 6 Sonates for Harpsichord and Violin ad libitum, op.14; Concerto IV for Harpsichord, 2 Violins, 2 Horns ad libitum, Viola, and Cello, op.15; 4 Sonates for Harpsichord, Violin, and Cello, op.16; 4 Sonates for Harpsichord and Violin, op.17; Concerto V for Harpsichord, 2 Violins, and Cello, op.18; 2 Sonates for Harpsichord or Piano, and Violin, op.19 (may be spurious); 3 Sonates for Harpsichord and Violin, op.20 (probably by T. Giordani); Morceau de musique curieux…menuet qui peut s’exécuter de différentes façon for Harpsichord, Violin, and Cello.

Bibliography

H. David, J. S. als Sonatenkomponist (Leipzig, 1928); H. Turrentine, J. S. and French Clavier Music from 1700 to the Revolution (diss., Univ. of Iowa, 1962).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire