Franz Danzi (1763–1826)

Frans Ignaz Danzi (1763-1826) joined the famed Mannheim orchestra at the age of 15, and chose to remain in Mannheim with the newly formed Nationaltheater when the elector moved to Munich. His ambition was to write operas, but he received no commissions until 1789. However his chamber music and orchestral writing betray his longing - flowing, singing lines in the Italian operatic manner are tinged with folk melodies and given to instruments instead of voices.

Inspite of much encouragement from Weber, Danzi lead an itinerant life, searching for a sponser for his dramatic works which never eventuated. His output includes songs, religious music, orchestral and chamber music. In the true spirit of Romanticism he not only wrote his own music, but also his own libretti and poetry. Fortunately the publisher André championed his chamber music, including these nine wind quintets which form a well loved staple of the early nineteenth century quintet repertoire.