A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Franz, Karl

by Carl Ferdinand Pohl

FRANZ, Karl, player on the French horn (Waldhorn) and the Baryton; born in 1738 at Langenbielau in Silesia. His first post was under the Archbishop of Olmütz in 1758; his next under Prince Nicholas Esterhazy at Eisenstadt, where he remained from 1763 to the end of 76. His adoption of so difficult an instrument as the baryton probably arose from the fact that the Prince himself played it, and that Haydn composed much for it for his use. At any rate Franz played it very finely, and on leaving the Eisenstadt band made several tours, in which his performance on it excited the greatest enthusiasm. Like Abel with the gamba, Franz was accustomed to call the baryton the king of instruments. In 1787 we find him established in Munich as 'Kammermusikus,' and he died there in 1802. That he was greatly esteemed by Haydn is proved by a cantata for voice and baryton, composed by that master for him, and which he performed on his tours, singing and accompanying himself. The cantata was written à propos to the death of Frederick the Great, and begins 'Er ist nicht mehr! Tön' trauernd, Baryton!'

[ C. F. P. ]