Johann Melchior Molter

Baroque German Composer and Violinist

Johann Melchior Molter (1696–1765) was a German Baroque composer and violinist. He was born in Tiefenort, near Eisenach, and received his early musical education in Eisenach before moving to Italy to study under Antonio Vivaldi and others. Molter's Italian influences are evident in his compositions, which include a wide range of instrumental concertos, symphonies, chamber music, and vocal works. He is particularly noted for his trumpet concertos, which are among the earliest to feature the clarino (high trumpet) register. After his Italian sojourn, Molter returned to Germany where he served as Kapellmeister in Karlsruhe at the court of the Margrave of Baden-Durlach. His works were widely performed during his lifetime and contributed to the development of the classical style in Germany. While specific albums such as "The Art Of The Baroque Trumpet, Vol. 1," "Spirito Italino - Italian Style In German Baroque," and "Concerti" may feature Molter's compositions, they would be collections of his work performed by modern artists or ensembles specializing in Baroque music rather than albums produced by Molter himself, as the concept of an album did not exist during his lifetime.