Dittersdorf in Trouble
Donald Macleod explains how, as Dittersdorf grew older, a weakness for gambling led the young man into debt. He fled to Prague, with his employer in pursuit.
He was a favourite of the Austrian Emperor and the King of Prussia, and performed in quartets with Mozart and Haydn, this week Donald Macleod explores the life and music of Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf.
As a teenager, Carl Dittersdorf was taken on by a local Prince as a Page of the Chamber. At court, he was schooled in languages, and received tuition not only in music, but also dancing, riding, fencing and shooting. Dittersdorf would also have been expected to take part in performances. His musical talents were quickly recognised, and Carl began receiving extra music lessons from court composer, Giuseppe Bonno. However, as he grew older, a weakness for gambling led the young man into terrible debts. He fled to Prague, with his employer in pursuit.
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Music Played
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Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf
Serenade in F major (post. 1769) Allegro
Performer: The Oradea Philharmonic Orchestra. Performer: Romeo Rimbu.- Olympia: OCD425.
- Olympia.
- 13.
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Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf
Symphony [after Ovid's Metamorphoses] no. 6 in D major - The Petrification of Phineus and his friends
Conductor: Adrian Shepherd. Orchestra: Cantilena..- Chandos: CHAN8564/5.
- Chandos.
- 5.
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Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf
Sonata in E flat major, for viola and piano Adagio
Performer: Werner Kloor. Performer: Peter Jansen.- Musica Rara: MUS15.
- Musica Rara.
- 3.
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Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf
Quartet no. 1 in D major Krebs.191 for strings
Performer: Leipzig Gewandhaus String Quartet.- BERLIN CLASSICS : 0092612BC.
- BERLIN CLASSICS.
- 1.
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Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf
Concerto in G minor for oboe and string orchestra
Orchestra: Camerata Bern. Performer: Thomas Füri. Performer: Heinz Holliger.- Archiv : 4271252.
- Archiv.
- 4.
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- Tue 15 Jul 201412:00BBC Radio 3
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