Antonín Kraft

Antonín Kraft, one of the greatest cellists around the beginning of the 19th century, one whose artistry was highly praised by the such masters of Viennese classicism as Joseph Haydn and Ludwig van Beethoven, is one of those personalities whose mastery of their instrument had a direct influence on the musical development of classicism.

He was born on 30th December 1749 in Rokycany. Young Antonín probably learned the basics of music from his father, František Ignáz Kraft (1720–1781), the chief brewer at the Rokycany municipal brewery, who was also a keen amateur cellist.

Having finished his grammar school studies, the twenty-year-old A. Kraft entered the Prague University to study philosophy. Here, however, he probably did not stay longer than one year. In the meantime, he perfected his skills as a cellist thanks to his studies under Augustin Werner (?–1768) 16, a cellist at St. Francis Church that belonged to the Knights of the Cross in Prague. The following year, in 1769, he left for Vienna in order to study law, but he did not graduate from this school, either; instead, he started his professional career as a musician. In the 1870s he married Anna Marie Schevitzka (cca 1750–1825).

When Kraft was admitted to Prince Nicholas Joseph Esterházy’s (1714–1790) orchestra, Kraft and his wife left Vienna for Esterházy. Here, he enrolled as a cellist on 1st January 1778 to remain in the position until the end of 1780s, working alongside such cellists as Merteau, Bartoja, and Tauber. In December 1778 Mrs. Kraft gave birth to Mikuláš, a son who was later to become a cellist after his father. As of 1780s, A. Kraft studied composition under the Kappelmeister Joseph Haydn, who praised Kraft for his diligence and fast progress. Kraft’s obligations at the court included, apart from his orchestra member’s duties, also the task of playing the baryton (viola di bordone).

In 1789, Antonín Kraft took his eight-year-old son Mikuláš on a tour around Europe. Together they played in Vienna, Pest, Berlin, and Dresden, both as soloists and as a cello duet. Judging by the period reactions, they met with significant success in all the cities. On their way back they met W. A. Mozart in Dresden.

After Esterházy's death in 1790, Nicholas Joseph Esterházy was succeeded by Prince Anton, who decided not to support the orchestra any more. The ensemble was disbanded and Kraft and his family moved back to Vienna.Between 1791 and 1795 he worked with the orchestra of Prince Anton Grassalkovics II of Gyarak (173421794) as the first cellist. Meanwhile, he and his son performed in concerts, and being at the peak of his career, A. Kraft was considered the best cellist in Vienna, and even one of the best in Europe.

Kraft’s output consists of nearly twenty preserved pieces. Seven works were printed during the author’s lifetime; the rest has remained in autographs. Most of the compositions contain a cello part: he had obviously written many of these pieces for his own instrumental performances at aristocratic courts where he had been employed. He wrote six cello sonatas with contrabass accompaniment, three duos for violin and cello, several baryton trios and cello duos; two cello concertos have also been preserved.

Titles for sale:
Concerto for Violoncello and Orchestra, op. 4
Concerto C major for Violoncello and Orchestra "Seydl" (score)
Concerto C major for Violoncello and Orchestra "Seydl" (parts)