Faculty Research Grant 2022-2023

Chi Yong Yun (Music).

Publication of the complete keyboard concertos, Op.6, Nos.1-6, of Johann Samuel Schroeter including CD and Video recording of the complete concerti.

Abstract: The musical culture of eighteenth-century London was greatly affected by the Industrial Revolution, which dominated England. With the technological advances of the Industrial Revolution, musical instruments were mass produced to meet the demands of the increasing middle class. The pianoforte became the quintessential middle-class instrument. As the foremost pianist and composer in London during the 18th century, Johann Samuel Schroeter’s importance lies as a leading virtuoso of the pianoforte and through his mastery of idiomatic writing specific for this instrument.  Schroeter is credited as the first to bring to England the true art of playing the pianoforte, and thus, to make a significant impact on the popularity of the newer instrument. Konrad Wolff compares Schroeter with Chopin in the sense of being a “piano specialist” as all his compositions include the pianoforte. His music was printed by various publishers throughout Europe and sought by many contemporary composers, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Mozart is to have had a particular influence from Schroeter’s concertos and later wrote cadenzas for three of them. However, despite his significant contributions to the development of the pianoforte genre, Johann Samuel Schroeter was virtually forgotten by the early nineteenth century and very little is known about him today. This project will shed light on Schroeter’s prominent role as one of the leading pioneers of pianoforte playing in London through the publication of the complete keyboard concertos, Op.6, Nos.1-6, of Johann Samuel Schroeter. In addition to the publication, my primary focus will be rehearsing with an ensemble, and commencing a two-part recording project of the complete keyboard concertos, both of which do not currently exist.