Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

May 2, 1752

Death

:

December 16, 1790 in Berlin, Germany

Period

:

Classical

Genre

:

Concerto

 

Ludwig August Lebrun was a German composer and oboist who lived from 1752 to 1790. He was born in Mannheim, Germany, which was at the time a center of musical activity. His father, Johann Nepomuk Lebrun, was a horn player in the Mannheim court orchestra, and his mother, Maria Franziska Danzi, was a singer. Lebrun grew up in a musical family and began playing the oboe at a young age. Lebrun's talent as an oboist was recognized early on, and he was appointed to the Mannheim court orchestra at the age of 14. He quickly became known for his virtuosic playing and his ability to improvise. He also began composing music for the oboe, and his works were well-received by his colleagues and audiences alike. In 1776, Lebrun left Mannheim to join the orchestra of the Elector of Bonn. While in Bonn, he continued to compose music for the oboe, as well as for other instruments. He also became friends with the young Ludwig van Beethoven, who was then a student in Bonn. Beethoven later dedicated his first two piano sonatas to Lebrun. Lebrun's reputation as a composer and oboist continued to grow, and in 1781 he was appointed to the court orchestra of King Louis XVI of France. He remained in Paris for the rest of his life, and became one of the most prominent musicians in the city. He performed regularly at the Concert Spirituel, one of the most important concert series in Paris at the time, and his compositions were published by some of the leading music publishers of the day. Lebrun's compositions for the oboe are some of his most well-known works. He wrote a number of concertos for the instrument, as well as sonatas and other chamber music. His oboe concertos are notable for their virtuosic writing and their lyrical melodies. They are also notable for their use of the oboe's full range, which was not common in the music of the time. In addition to his works for the oboe, Lebrun also composed music for other instruments, including the flute, clarinet, and horn. His music for these instruments is characterized by its elegance and its use of classical forms, such as the sonata and the concerto. Lebrun's music was highly regarded during his lifetime, and he was considered one of the leading composers of his day. However, his music fell out of favor in the years following his death, and it was not until the 20th century that his works began to be rediscovered. Today, his music is once again appreciated for its beauty and its historical significance. In conclusion, Ludwig August Lebrun was a talented composer and oboist who made significant contributions to the music of his time. His works for the oboe are particularly notable, and his music for other instruments is also well-regarded. Despite falling out of favor for a time, his music has once again found an audience and is appreciated for its beauty and historical significance.

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