J. F. Reichardt. First editions of the score and vocal score of the cantata on the death of Friedrich II, 1787 and 1800

Reichardt, Johann Friedrich

Two first editions of the cantata on the death of Friedrich II

1) Cantus lugubris in obitum Friderici Magni Borussorum Regis ad voces alternas magnamque Orchestram accomodatus [score] [RISM R 820], [Berlin:] author, 1787, 73 pages, 4to (c. 33.2 x 24.5cm), engraved throughout, address at end to Friedrich Wilhelm II dated 1788, uncut and unbound, light browning and worming to outer leaves 

2) Trauercantate auf den Tod Friedrichs des Zweyten im Clavierauszuge [vocal score] [RISM R 821], Berlin: Neue Berlinische Musikhandlung, no date, 26 pages, 4to (c. 32.5 x 28.5cm), type-set music, uncut and unbound, some browning and light spotting

together with: Deux odes de Frédéric le Grand mises en musique par...Jean Frédéric Reichardt [vocal score] [RISM R 826], Berlin, Unger, 1800, 19 pages, 4to, engraved music, contemporary blue wrappers; and a C19th scribal score of Reichardt's Miltons Morgengesang, around 80 leaves, folio, signed apparently by the scribe at the end (F. Starke Johannesstr. 3"), nineteenth-century roan

Friedrich II's death in 1786 ushered in the high phase of Reichardt's multifarious career, the new king, Friedrich Wilhelm II, at last giving him full authority in his post as Kapellmeister for the royal Berlin opera - a position he had audaciously acquired in 1775, aged only 23.

LITERATURE

No copy of 2) according to RISM in the Berlin Staatsbibliothek

PROVENANCE

From the collection of the Berlin pianist and teacher Ernst Rudorff (1840-1916).