Joseph Martin Kraus - "Swedish Mozart"

Joseph Martin Kraus
(1756-1792)

German composer Joseph Martin Kraus was a contemporary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. They were both born in 1756, just a few months apart. Just like Mozart, Kraus died at a very young age, although he lived one year longer than his Austrian colleague. Although he was born in Germany, Kraus developed his music career at the court of King Gustav III of Sweden. Music historians named him - "Swedish Mozart".

Music education

Joseph Martin Kraus was born in Miltenberg am Main. He attended Jesuit High School and Music Seminary in Mannheim, city that was still one of the largest music centers in Europe. He studied law in several German cities according to his parents' wishes. However, he was constantly attracted to music, especially when under the influence of a literary circle he adopted the principles of the Sturm und Drang movement.

What finally drove Kraus to music was his fellow musician's suggestion to go to Sweden and find an appropriate job at the court of King Gustav III, who at the time was considered a generous patron of the arts and literature. Kraus went to Sweden, but it was not that easy getting a job there. 

King Gustav III of Sweden

Gustav III - Patron of the Arts

King Gustav III was one of the most significant patrons of art in the 18th century. He was very fond of the performing arts, literature and painting. His love for the arts quickly became known throughout Europe and this attracted musicians from many countries.

Under the auspices of the Court Theater, he founded the Royal Opera and the Royal Ballet in 1773. He commissioned works, wrote dramas and promoted Swedish actors and opera singers.

The assassination of Gustav III took place in 1792 at that same opera house during a masked ball. That event inspired Verdi to write his opera "Un ballo in maschera".

First year in Stockholm

Kraus moved to Stockholm at the urging of a friend in 1778, but it was not easy at all during his first years. He thought about returning home several times because he was in a very difficult financial situation. He often asked his parents to send him money. It was three years before he could get the attention of the King of Sweden. A successful performance of his opera Proserpin in 1781, written on the libretto king himself wrote, finally brought him an employment. Kraus was subsequently appointed deputy chaplain of the Royal Swedish Opera. King Gustav commissioned an opera that would be performed at the opening of the new opera house. So Kraus began to write Aeneas in Carthage.

Travels around Europe

In addition to finally hiring him as a musician, in 1782 the king sent Kraus on a trip to Europe. The young musician toured Germany, Austria, Italy and France during a four-year tour. Other members of the higher society, including artists, made similar trips in order to see and experience other cultures and make friends with important people. Among them was Mozart or Mendelssohn.

During his stay in Vienna, Kraus met Haydn and Gluck, but not Mozart. In Florence, he met Giovanni Batista Martini, "the greatest music theorist," as he called him. Kraus spent two years in the French capital and received commissions to write new symphonic pieces for the renowned Concerts Spirituel.

During this trip around Europe, Kraus composed a lot, and among the works created during this period is a Flute Quintet in D major.

Back in Sweden

Upon his return to Sweden in 1787, Joseph Martin Kraus worked diligently: he became a court chaplain and director of the Royal Academy of Music, organized concert activities for the Royal Court Orchestra, especially in the form of subscription concerts, and later became the principal conductor of that ensemble. A few months after King Gustav was assassinated, he died of tuberculosis at the age of 35.

Composer's opus

His opus includes pieces written for the theater, symphonic, vocal, chamber and solo music. His style is describe as very reminiscent of Mozart. It was recently revealed that he also wrote two concerts for viola and orchestra. The works were previously attributed to other composers by mistake.