Johann Mattheson

At an early age Mattheson was performing various roles, even female roles until his voice changed, in the Hamburg Opera. He played a number of different instruments for certain performances as well. When his voice developed further he took on the performance of many solo tenor parts appearing in compositions written by Handel, who became Mattheson's personal friend, and Keiser. When playing the organ Mattheson was a virtuoso performer and was well traveled. Between 1715 and 1728 he was the musical director for the Cathedral in Hamburg where he wrote the majority of his twenty six oratorios. Most of his other compositions were operatic but he also wrote numerous cantatas, miscellaneous vocal pieces, chamber music, keyboard pieces and fugues. Though the characteristics of his music were predominantly nodescript, particularly regarding melodic interest, his oratorios and passions contained many instances of drama. Mattheson was also a musicographer writing on every aspect of music including his own experiences, areas of proficiency, encyclopedic information for directors, and progressive approches to musical instruction. ~ Keith Johnson