SALOMON, Johann Peter

Born in Bonn, baptized Feb 20, 1745
Died in London, Nov 28, 1815

• Son of a Bonn court musician, Salomon was a violinist and composer. He had his first professional position as a violinist at the Bonn court at 13 years old.
• While working as a court musician in Prussia, Salomon met C.P.E. Bach, who introduced him to J.S. Bach’s works for unaccompanied violin. Salomon mastered these pieces and they became part of his signature repertoire.
• Salomon spent most of his adult career in England, where he appeared as a violinist, conductor, and concert promoter.
  • It was in his capacity as an impresario that Salomon arranged for Haydn to visit London in 1790-1 and 1794-5. These are the occasions for which Haydn composed his “London” symphonies.
  • Several violin solos in the “London” symphonies were composed especially for Salomon to play.¹

Biography

1. Hubert Unverricht, “Salomon, Johann Peter,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed January 21, 2020,  https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000024401.