Foundation Musick's Monument
With thanks to Dr Sybe Wartena Bayerisches National Museum- Bayerisches Hauptstaatsarchiv München
Durchlauchtigster Kurfürst. Gnädigster Herr Herr!
Wann Euer Fürstl: Durchl: in Einsicht Selbst gnädigst zu Erwägung zu ziehen Gnädigst geruhen werden, daß Höchst Dero ehemals nach Franckreich abgereiseter wordener MECHANICUS Philipp Mülmayer nicht nur allein die von Höchst Denenselben bewilligte mittelst 6. Monatliche Absents-Zeit, sondern auch darneben noch 14 Monater p: ohne von Ihm iemalen etwas mehr zu sehen, oder zu hören, hat verstreichen lassen, folglich an Dessen Retour keinerwege mehr wird zu gedencken seyn dörfen; So ziehet mich die Hofnung vertrauensvoll anzutragen, von Euer Fürstll. Durchl. um so meer zu dieser Stelle in höchsten Hulden, und Gnaden an: und aufgenommen zu werden als
1mo Schon bey des gedachten Mülmayers Beyseyn mit meiner diesfalsigen besitzenden fähigkeit hinlänglich an Handen gegangen:
2do Von ihme, gemäß unsers geschlossenen ACCORDS von Höchstdenenselben huldreichst zuignimet, und angegebenen jahrl: 600. f ganz freywillig Die hälfte zu 300. f genossen, und entbehret.
3tio Während seiner Abwesenheit dessen anstehende Geschäfften dermaßen getreulich versehen, daß man allerorten sehr wohl zu frieden ist, ja nicht nur biß dato, sondern auch lebenslang unversagt mit mir zu frieden zu seyn eifrigst bestreben werde. Zu gnädigster Bitte daher, dann unversagt Höchster Gnadens Hulden mich unterthänigst empfehlend submiss: voll zu fussen lege.
Euer Fürstl: Durchl:
unterthänigs Gehorsamster Jan Louis Dulcken Facteur de Clavecin Mechanique
Transcriptierapport en Historische Analyse: Verzoekschrift Jan Louis Dulcken
Modern English Translation
Most Illustrious Elector, Most Gracious Lord!
Given that Your Royal Highness will kindly wish to take into consideration that the Mechanicus Philipp Mülmayer, who previously departed for France, has not only allowed the six-month period of leave granted by You to lapse, but has also allowed a further fourteen months to pass without any news or sight of him, his return can no longer be expected in any respect. I therefore cherish the hope and confidence of urging Your Royal Highness to appoint and accept me in this post by Your highest grace, given that:
1. I have already been sufficiently helpful with my expertise in this field whilst the aforementioned Mülmayer was present;
2. In accordance with the agreement (Accord) concluded with him, which was graciously approved by You, I have voluntarily received half (namely 300 florins) of the stipulated 600 florins per year and have also had to do without the other half;
3. During his absence, I have carried out the ongoing duties so faithfully that everyone is very satisfied. I shall strive tirelessly, not only to this day but for the rest of my life, to ensure that people remain satisfied with me. Therefore, I humbly submit this gracious request, humbly commending myself to Your highest favour, at Your feet.
Your Royal Highness,
Your most humble and obedient servant, Jan Louis Dulcken, builder of Clavecin Mechanique
Moderne Nederlandse Vertaling
Doorluchtigste Keurvorst, Genadigste Heer!
Aangezien Uw Vorstelijke Doorluchtigheid zelf welwillend in overweging zult willen nemen dat de voorheen naar Frankrijk vertrokken Mechanicus Philipp Mülmayer niet alleen de door U toegestane verlofperiode van zes maanden heeft laten verstrijken, maar daarnaast nog eens veertien maanden voorbij heeft laten gaan zonder dat er iets van hem is vernomen of gezien, kan er in geen enkel opzicht meer op zijn terugkeer worden gerekend. Daarom koester ik de hoop en het vertrouwen om bij Uw Vorstelijke Doorluchtigheid aan te dringen mij in Uw hoogste genade op deze post aan te stellen en op te nemen, aangezien:
Ik reeds tijdens de aanwezigheid van de genoemde Mülmayer met mijn bekwaamheid op dit gebied voldoende behulpzaam ben geweest;
Ik van hem, conform de met hem gesloten overeenkomst (Accord) die door U genadig was goedgekeurd, van de vastgestelde 600 florijnen per jaar vrijwillig de helft (te weten 300 florijnen) heb genoten en ook heb moeten missen;
Ik tijdens zijn afwezigheid de lopende werkzaamheden zodanig getrouw heb uitgevoerd dat men overal zeer tevreden is. Ik zal er niet alleen tot op de dag van vandaag, maar mijn leven lang onvermoeid naar streven dat men tevreden over mij blijft. Daarom leg ik dit genadige verzoek, mijzelf onderdanig in Uw hoogste gunst aanbevelend, vol nederigheid aan Uw voeten.
Onderdanigste en gehoorzaamste, Jan Louis Dulcken Bouwer van Clavecin Mechanique
Philipp Mühlmayr (also known as Johann Peter Milchmeyer and Philipp Jakob Milchmeyer) was a prominent pianist, instrument maker and music teacher who was closely associated with the court of Elector Karl Theodor.
Historical Context & Role
• Court of Karl Theodor: From 1779, Milchmeyer worked in Munich at the royal court of Elector Karl Theodor. Karl Theodor was a great music lover who had previously established the famous orchestra of the Mannheim School and brought his musicians with him when he moved his main residence to Munich.
• Responsibilities: At court, Milchmeyer had the official task of carefully maintaining, improving and refurbishing all the grand pianos and pantaleons in the palace.
• Assistant Louis Dulcken: In 1779, he took on the young, later famous piano maker Louis Dulcken as an assistant in his royal workshop. In June 1782, Milchmeyer left Munich with all his tools and moved to Frankfurt, after which Dulcken took over his post at court.
A timeline of the instrument maker Jan Louis Dulcken, who fought a constant battle for financial recognition at the court in Munich over a period of ten years. (1780/1781 - 1791)
Philipp Mühlmayr (ook bekend als Johann Peter Milchmeyer & Philipp Jakob Milchmeyer) was een vooraanstaand pianist, instrumentenmaker en muziekpedagoog die nauw verbonden was met het hof van keurvorst Karl Theodor.
Historische Context & Functie
Hof van Karl Theodor: Vanaf 1779 werkte Milchmeyer in München aan het koninklijke hof van keurvorst Karl Theodor. Karl Theodor was een grote muziekliefhebber die eerder het beroemde orkest van de Mannheimse School had opgebouwd en zijn muzikanten meenam toen hij zijn hoofdverblijf naar München verplaatste.
Verantwoordelijkheid: Milchmeyer had aan het hof de officiële taak om alle vleugels en pantaleons van het paleis zorgvuldig te onderhouden, te verbeteren en te vernieuwen.
Assistent Louis Dulcken: In 1779 nam hij de jonge, later beroemde pianobouwer Louis Dulcken aan als assistent in zijn koninklijke werkplaats. In juni 1782 vertrok Milchmeyer met al zijn gereedschap uit München naar Frankfurt, waarna Dulcken zijn ambt aan het hof overnam.
Abstract:
J. P. Milchmeyer's Die wahre Art das Pianoforte zu spielen (The True Art of Playing the Pianoforte) was a keyboard instruction manual that was published in Dresden, Germany, in 1797. The publication was intended for a middle-class audience, comprising students attempting to learn without the guidance of an instructor, as well as teachers lacking training and experience. The present dissertation is a translation of the first (and only) edition,"as clear and readable as possible, while reproducing the book in a form as much like the original as practical" (from the Translator's Preface). The book is divided into six chapters. The publication is divided into six sections, which are listed below with brief descriptions.
(1) "The Position of the Body, the Arm, the Hand, and the Fingers" (including advice on styles of articulation and on rhythm).
(2) "On Fingering" (the longest chapter).
(3) "On Ornamentation" (with many written-out examples).
(4) "On Musical Expression" (terminology).
(5) "On Knowledge and Modification of the Pianoforte" (evaluating pianos and employing the various special-effects pedals).
(6) "Several General Remarks." The manual represented a significant development in keyboard treatises, as it was the first in Germany (and potentially in all of Europe) to exclusively focus on the piano. This was a notable departure from the prevailing preference of most authors, who continued to favour the harpsichord or the clavichord. In addition, Milchmeyer's advice, at times, deviates from that of more prominent authorities. This deviation may offer a more precise insight into the actual performance practice of the era. The original book was seventy-three pages long, with approximately half the total page space taken up by musical examples. The translation extends to 179 pages, with all musical illustrations converted into lucid contemporary notation and integrated, as in the original, throughout the text. The translator has appended a ten-page introduction and seventy pages of annotations, which appear as endnotes. These annotations provide historical background, stylistic commentary, and comparison with other eighteenth-century treatises, most notably those of C. P. E. Bach (1753) and Daniel Gottlob Turk (1789).
Johann Peter Milchmeyer died on 15 March 1813
The final years of his life were characterised by the following aspects:
Relocation and status in Strasbourg
Arrival: After travelling around Germany (including Dresden), Milchmeyer settled in Strasbourg in 1805.
Respected teacher: He built up an excellent reputation in the city as a piano teacher. Both beginners and advanced musicians sought him out because of his innovative teaching methods.
Physical disability: What was remarkable about his success during these years was that Milchmeyer lived with a severe physical disability; historical sources state that both his legs were paralysed. Despite this, he continued to perform and teach at a high level.
Departure for France
A new beginning: After wandering through the courts of Munich, Frankfurt, Mainz and Dresden, Milchmeyer moved to Strasbourg in 1805.
Border region: The choice of Strasbourg was strategic. As a German-speaking musician in a French city, he formed a perfect bridge between the German and French piano traditions.
