Carl Friedrich Abel

Carl Friedrich Abel, born in 1723, was a German composer and virtuoso viola da gamba player who left an indelible mark on the musical landscape of the pre-Classical era. Hailing from a family of musicians, Abel's journey took him from the courts of Dresden to the vibrant musical scene of London, where he became a chamber musician to Queen Charlotte and co-founded the renowned Bach-Abel concerts with Johann Christian Bach. Abel's compositions, numbering over 420, are a testament to his prowess in chamber music, symphonies, concertos, and sonatas, seamlessly bridging the Baroque and Classical styles. His legacy as one of the last great gambists and a pioneer in embracing new musical trends makes Carl Friedrich Abel a figure of enduring fascination for classical music enthusiasts.