Johann Paul von Westhoff

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Johann Paul von Westhoff (1656 – April 17, 1705) was a German Baroque composer and violinist.

Westhoff was born in the Saxon capital of Dresden. He ranked with Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber and Johann Gottfried Walther among the most prominent violinists in German-speaking Europe. Journeys took Westhoff to Hungary, Italy, France, the Dutch Republic, and the imperial court in Vienna. His style was influenced by that of the somewhat older Walther, with whom he worked for several years in the Dresden court chapel. From 1671 on he also taught the Saxon princes Johann George and Friedrich August.

Westhoff was in Weimar at the Court of Saxony at the same time as Johann Sebastian Bach. The Sonatas for Violin without Bass that Westhoff wrote in 1696 were important forerunners for Bach's celebrated Sonatas and Partitas for Solo Violin written only 24 years later. Westhoff died in Weimar.

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This article incorporates text translated from the corresponding German Wikipedia article as of 17 October 2006.