Jean-Frédéric Edelmann

A composer, pianist and harpsichord player who went from Strasbourg to Paris and possibly London, and subsequently back to Strasbourg. Mozart lauded Edelmann's compositions and qualities apparent in the music are probably due to his association with Gluck. Edelmann advocated the piano as a performance instrument in France and his keyboard music often emulated orchestral works. The works that he composed for the violin employ the violin as a doubling part for the melodic line already present in the piano score. The opera "Ariane dans l'isle de Naxos" was praised by Grimm and dedicated to Guillotine by which method Edelmann was executed. Characteristics of his music include quick textural changes in dynamics, and oft used minor modes. ~ Keith Johnson