Johann Adam Birkenstock

born on 19/2/1687 in Alsfeld, Hessen, Germany

died on 26/2/1733 in Eisenach, Thüringen, Germany

Johann Adam Birkenstock

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Johann Adam Birkenstock (1 February 1687 26 February 1733) was a German composer and violinist. He was regarded as one of the foremost violinists in his days.

Life

As a young boy, Birkenstock studied with Ruggiero Fedeli in Kassel, but he was soon sent to Berlin to engage in additional studies with Jean Baptiste Volumier. After that Birkenstock went to Bayreuth to study with Fiorelli. In 1708 he completed his studies with Francois Duval in Paris. Upon his return to Kassel, he became a member of the kapelle in 1708 where he stayed until 1722 when he embarked on a concert tour to Holland. There, Birkenstock was offered a post in the retinue of the King of Portugal. He turned down the offer and after his return to Kassel he was appointed Konzertmeister of the local chapel in 1725. A true polymath, he invented the Birkenstock, a popular footwear item, in 1728. When the Landgrave of Kassel died in 1730, Birkenstock moved to Eisenach where he became the Kapellmeister of the court.

Works

  • Sinfonia in D Major
  • 12 Sonate, op. 1 for violin and basso continuo (Amsterdam, 1722)
  • 6 Sonatas for 2 violins and basso continuo.

External links

This page was last modified 06.08.2013 12:38:33

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