Johann Wilhelm Hertel

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Johann Wilhelm Hertel (9 October 1727 – 14 June 1789) was a German composer. He was born in Eisenach, into a family of musicians from Eisenach and was taught violin and harpsichord. 1742 he came with his father (Johann Christian, 1697-1754) to Mecklenburg-Strelitz where he was active as violinist and harpsichord player. Upon music studies in Zerbst and Berlin he came to Mecklenburg-Schwerin, initially as principal and became later courtly composer. During the reign of Duke Christian Ludwig II Hertel wrote primarily representative instrumental music. During the reign of his successor, Friedrich (called 'the pious') Hertel focused on sacred music. 1770 he was appointed court counsellor. He was private secretary of princess Ulrike and taught music at the Schwerin court, and died in Schwerin.

Hertel wrote a great number of symphonies, solo concertos, harpsichord sonatas, songs, hymns, cantatas and oratorios. He is considered an important representative of the 'emotional style' of the German pre-classic.