Johann Ernst Galliard (1687–1747) was a German
composer. He was born in Celle, Germany to a French
wig-maker. His first composition instruction began at
age 15. Galliard studied composition under
Jean-Baptiste Farinel, the director of music at the
Court of Hanover, and Abbate Steffani. In addition to
his composition ability, he was also a capable oboe and
recorder player. Galliard made a step forward in his
musical career when he performed one of his original
compositions. This Sonata for oboe...(+)
Johann Ernst Galliard (1687–1747) was a German
composer. He was born in Celle, Germany to a French
wig-maker. His first composition instruction began at
age 15. Galliard studied composition under
Jean-Baptiste Farinel, the director of music at the
Court of Hanover, and Abbate Steffani. In addition to
his composition ability, he was also a capable oboe and
recorder player. Galliard made a step forward in his
musical career when he performed one of his original
compositions. This Sonata for oboe and two bassoons
debuted at one of Farinel’s concerts. Galliard earned
an esteemed seat in the chamber music of George, Prince
of Denmark. Later, he moved to England where he became
chapel-master of Somerset House. Galliard became a
familiar face in high society due to his proximity to
and frequenting of the royal residence. In response to
war victories, Galliard composed a Te Deum, Jubilate,
and three additional anthems.
Bigger and better things seemed promising following his
participation in the founding of the Academy of Ancient
Music. However, in the scrap for kingdom-wide
directorial status, Galliard fell short to greats such
as Handel and Bononcini. He wrote the music to Calypso
and Telemachus (from Sibley Music Library Digital
Scores Collection) upon the request of a friend, the
poet John Hughes. Despite approval from his peers, the
show was a failure. As a result, he refocused on his
oboe performance. He joined Handel’s Italian Opera in
1713 as an oboe soloist. Galliard composed several more
cantatas to texts by Hughes and Congreve. He published
an opera, music to the Morning Hymn of Adam and Eve
taken from John Milton’s Paradise Lost, and a large
number of pantomimes which he turned out under contract
to Rich, the enterprising manager of the
Lincoln’s-Inn-Fields Theatre. His published
instrumental music includes the following: Six Sonatas
for a Flute and a Thorough Bass, Six Solos for the
Violoncello, and Six Sonatas for the Bassoon or
Violoncello with a Thorough Bass for the Harpsichord.
(from Sibley Music Library Digital Scores
Collection)
Although this piece was originally written for Flute
and continuo, I created this arrangement for Bb
Clarinet and Strings (Violins (2), Viola & Cello).
