Johann Friedrich Fasch

Johann Friedrich Fasch, born on April 15, 1688, in Buttelstedt near Weimar, was a German violinist and composer who, despite being a contemporary of Johann Sebastian Bach, led a relatively quiet life as Kapellmeister at the small German court of Zerbst. Fasch's musical journey began as a choir boy in the Court Chapel of the Duke of Weissenfels, and he later trained at the prestigious Thomasschule in Leipzig under Johann Kuhnau. His career as Kapellmeister in Zerbst spanned over three decades, from 1722 until his death in 1758, during which time his works were highly regarded and actively performed. Fasch's compositions, which include orchestral works, soloist and orchestra pieces, and small ensemble compositions, offer a rich tapestry of Baroque music that deserves to be explored. His legacy, though not as widely known as some of his contemporaries, is a testament to his skill and the enduring quality of his music.