Carl Stamitz was born in Mannheim,
Germany, to a musical family. His father Johann Stamitz was Konzertmeister
and director of instrumental music at the Mannheim court of Elector Carl Theodor,
and founder of the "Mannheim School", in which major steps in the the
development of the symphony, and of the orchestra itself occurred.
Carl was brought up at the court, with lessons from his father until Johann
died when Carl was only 12 years old. Carl played violin in the court orchestra
at Mannheim in 1762 and was also a viola and viola d'amore player. He toured England
and Russia and settled in Paris in 1785. In 1794 he became conductor of the orchestra
at Jena. He wrote a large number of instrumental works, including symphonies, concerti
and concertante works, and quartets, trios, and sonatas.
Carl continued in the Mannheim tradition, introducing slow introductions, some
programmatic development, and tonal contrasts. His works are admired also for
their lyrical qualities. He died in 1801 in Jena, Saxony, Germany.