Violinist Antonín Vranický
Germanized as Anton Wranitzky, and also seen as Wranizky (June 13, 1761 in Nová Říše – August 6, 1820 in Vienna), was a Czech violinist and composer of the 18th century. He was the half brother of Pavel Vranický.
He was a pupil of Mozart, Haydn and Albrechtsberger, as mentioned in a letter from Pavel Vranický to the music publisher Andre.
Concerto for violin and cello in B flat major
Shizuka Ishikawa, violin (P.A.Testore 1742), Karel Fiala, cello (A.Stradivarius 1734), Musica Bohemica, Jaroslav Krček (conductor)
I. Allegro maestoso – 00:00
II. Adagio – 10:00
III. Rondo – 17:35
Antonín got his first education in the Monastery of Premonstratensians in his hometown. Later he studied Philosophy in Olomouc, then law and music in Brno (1778-1782). Then apparently influenced by his older brother, he left to Vienna. There he took lessons from Haydn, Mozart and Albrechtsberger. When he settled in Vienna, Pavel helped him gain access to the highest circles of musical life in the Austrian capital and he quickly became friends of, and highly regarded by, both Beethoven and Haydn. Vranicky soon became a sought-after and influential teacher whose students included Joseph Mayseder, the violin virtuoso Václav Pichl, and violinist Ignaz Schuppanzigh, the leader of the famous Razumowski Quartet. His popular ‘Violin Fondament’ (Violinschule) was published in Vienna in 1804 and received many subsequent editions.
For a bigger part of his life, he was a bandmaster at the court of Prince Josef Frantisek Maxmilian Lobkowicz in Vienna, Prague and at the castles of Roudnice, Jezeri and Bilina by turns. In 1807 he became director of Vienna Court Theatre orchestra.
His compositions are generally typical of the high-classical Viennese style, though he often integrated operatic and theatrical elements into some of his instrumental works. He composed: violin concertos, violin sonatas, several violin symphonies, a number of chamber string compositions (quartets, duos), several compositions for wind instruments. The abilities of top violinist were reflected in his works, which are considered quite difficult even today.
This double concerto in B Flat is filled with a typically winning combination of graceful and imposing allegro, introspective and heartfelt adagio and folk-tinged rondo finale.