Diving into early Americana this week – the music of German-American composer John Frederick Peter who settled in America in 1770 and are among the earliest examples of chamber music written by a North American composer.
Although he was known primarily for his music for Church, he wrote some six String Quintets, which went largely undiscovered until they were unearthed several years after his death in the archives of the Moravian Church in Pennsylvania.
This broadcast, part of the Story Of Music series for NBC Radio was produced by The Eastman School of Music. It features an ensemble of Eastman School musicians, led by the ever-present Frederick Fennell and was recorded on March 20, 1947. Although it’s not confirmed, it’s thought this performance of the String Quintet of John Frederick Peter was the first public airing since it’s discovery.
Auspicious if true, but interesting and historic nonetheless.
Enjoy.
