Johann Baptist Cramer

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Johann Baptist Cramer (February 24, 1771, Mannheim - April 16, 1858, London), was an English musician of German origin. He was the son of Wilhelm Cramer (1743-1799), a famous London violinist and musical conductor, one of a numerous family who were identified with the progress of music during the 18th and 19th centuries. Johann Baptist was brought to London as a child, and it was in London that the greater part of his musical efforts was exercised.

From 1782 to 1784 he studied the piano under Muzio Clementi, and soon became known as a professional pianist both in London and on the continent; he enjoyed a world-wide reputation, and was particularly appreciated by Beethoven.

Apart from his pianoforte-playing, Cramer is important as a composer. He established a musical instrument manufacturing and music-publishing outlet Cramer & Co. at 201, Regent Street (which was on the corner of Conduit Street and Regent Street^[1]) in partnership with Thomas Frederick Beale and Robert Addison. Cramer ceased involvement with the business at the end of 1833 although it continued to carry his name^[2]. He wrote a number of sonatas, etc., for pianoforte, and other compositions; but his Etudes are the works by which he lives as a composer. These studies have appeared in numerous editions, and became the staple pieces in the training of pianists.

[edit] Selected works

Piano Concerto No. 2 in D minor, Op. 16
Grande sonate pour le piano-forte, Op. 20 (1809) From Sibley Music Library Digital Scores Collection
Sonata in A-flat major for piano, Op. 23, No. 1
2 Sonatas for piano, Op. 27

In F major
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Sonata in A-flat major for piano, Op 46 ("Die Jungfrau von Orleans")
Piano Concerto No. 5 in C minor, Op. 48
Keyboard Sonata in A minor ("L'Ultima"), Op. 53 (1812)
Piano Concerto No. 7 in E major, Op. 56
Sonata for piano in C major, Op. 57
Keyboard Sonatas in B-flat major ("Les suivantes No. 2"), Op. 58 (1817) - Allegro spiritoso / Largo sostenuto / Rondo allegretto
Keyboard Sonata in E minor ("Les Suivante No. 3"), Op. 59 (1817)
Keyboard Sonata in E major ("Le Retour a Londres"), Op. 62 (1818)
Keyboard Sonata in D minor, Op. 63 (1821)
Introduzione ed aria all’inglese for piano, Op. 65
Piano Quintet in E major ("Amicitia"), Op. 69 (1824) - also in a piano arrangement
Piano Concerto No. 8 in D minor, Op. 70
Keyboard Sonata in F major ("Il Mezzo"), Op. 74 (1827)
Short Studies, Op. 100
Romance et Tarantelle Brilliante (Romance in F major - Tarantelle in A Minor), Op. 101