Quantz, Johann Joachim (1697-1773)

German flautist and composer. He composed 300 flute concertos, but is best remembered for writing the treatise ‘Versuch einer Anweisung die Flöte traversiere zu spielen/On Playing the Transverse Flute’ in 1752. He improved the flute's adaptability by adding the second key and devising a sliding tuning mechanism.

As a boy he learned several instruments, and studied composition with Jan Zelenka in Vienna in 1717. The following year he was appointed oboist to the court of August II in Dresden and Warsaw, but later turned to the flute, studying under Pierre-Gabriel Buffardin (1690-1768). After travels in Italy, France, and England he returned to Dresden, becoming first flautist to the court, until he entered the service of Frederick II of Prussia in 1741. He was the king's flute teacher and wrote for him over 500 works for flute.

Works Orchestral and other about 300 concertos and about 200 other works for flute.

Other hymns on poems by Gellert.