Two Baroque Prodigies

My research on Johann Joachim Quantz yielded about 35 pages of a biography with interesting dates and tidbits on the man. Not enough for a book on Johann Joachim Qantz! I had to come up with a plan to stretch my writings on the man to get a book out of my effort.

I acknowledge taking license then, in mixing the facts in his life with the fiction of my imagination and inserting anecdotes on how things might have transpired in his private life. Quantz never really revealed anything about his private life in his autobiography which was written as a prim and proper account, listing his achievements, his progress and his increase in salaries. The autobiography was published in 1755 by Friedrich Wilhelm Marpurg. There was also a continuation in 1762 for Padre Martini. [source: Feike Bonnema website 2016]

His life can be divided into four sections: his youth, life in Dresden, his tour of Europe, and his life in Berlin. Quantz was a true Baroque flute prodigy. He taught Frederick the Great!

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Jean-Marie Leclair was one of the best 18th century violinists. He was also a respected composer who rightfully earned the title of "founder of the French school of violin" during the great Baroque Era of music.

Sadly, he was stabbed to death either on October 22nd late at night, or October 23rd early morning, in 1764, when it was still dark. His body was found in the vestibule of his home which was located on the seedy side of Paris. Leclair was 67 years old.

No one was ever accused or arrested in the case, despite strong suspicions. His murder was such a terrible tragedy, to snuff out the life of one of Baroque's finest violin prodigies.