Johann Peter Salomon

Full biography Johann Peter Salomon

Johann Peter Salomon (1745-1815) was a German violinist , composer, conductor, and musical impresario. He is best known for bringing the renowned composer Joseph Haydn to London and conducting the symphonies that Haydn wrote during his time there. Salomon also wrote his own compositions, including a set of symphonies and chamber music works.

Salomon was born in Bonn, Germany, and began his music career as a violinist. He later became interested in conducting and founded the Salomon Quartet, which performed his own compositions as well as works by other composers. In 1781, Salomon met Haydn while the composer was traveling in Germany, and Salomon invited him to come to London to perform a concert series.

Haydn accepted the invitation and arrived in London in 1791, where Salomon organized a series of concerts featuring Haydn's music. The concerts were a great success, and Salomon and Haydn continued their collaboration, with Salomon conducting many of Haydn's symphonies and promoting his work throughout England.

In addition to his work with Haydn, Salomon was also a prolific composer, writing a number of works in various genres. His Symphony No. 1 in D major is particularly well-known and is often performed today.

Despite his successful career, Salomon fell into financial difficulties in his later years and died in poverty in London in 1815. Nevertheless, his contributions to the world of classical music live on today, and he is remembered as an important figure in the development of music in England.