The German composer, harpsichordist, and conductor Carl Friedrich Christian Fasch was born on 18th November 1736 in Zerbst, in present-day Saxony-Anhalt. He received his initial musical instruction in theory and keyboard from his father Johann Friedrich Fasch (1688–1758), Kapellmeister of Anhalt-Zerbst, and later studied violin with Carl Höckh (1707–1773), Konzertmeister of the Zerbst court orchestra. At the age of 14, his father sent him to Strelitz to study for a year with Johann Wilhelm Hertel (1727–1789). While in Strelitz, the violinist Franz Benda was so impressed by Fasch’s playing that in 1756 he recommended the young Fasch for the position of second harpsichordist at the court of Frederick the Great of Prussia. Fasch was appointed to the position on 1st February 1756 and became friends and colleagues with C.P.E. Bach (1714–1788), the court’s first harpsichordist. The two harpsichordists divided the task of accompanying Frederick II’s flute playing until 1767 when Bach left his position to replace Georg Philipp Telemann (1681–1767) in Hamburg and Fasch was promoted to first harpsichordist. Fasch remained at the Prussian court for the rest of his life, where he held a variety of positions. During the latter part of his life, Fasch focused on composing and conducting choral music. Historically, he is important for founding the Sing-Akademie zu Berlin in 1791, an organization that both helped to develop an amateur choir tradition in Germany and played an important role in the revival of the music of J.S. Bach. Fasch died in Berlin on 3rd August 1800, and his Sing-Akademie performed Mozart’s Requiem at his memorial in October of that year.
This concerto, for the unusual combination of Trumpet (in E), Violin, and Oboe d'Amore, comprises three movements (Allegro–Affetuoso–Allegro). The orchestral scoring is for two violins, viola, and basso continuo. Alternative solo parts are provided for Piccolo Trumpet in A and English Horn, as detailed in the editor's introduction.
