Johann Tromlitz

Johann George Tromlitz was a German flutist, composer, and maker of musical instruments. He was born in Reinsdorf on 8 November 1725 and died in Leipzig on 4 February 1805.

Tromlitz graduated from the law faculty of the University of Leipzig. Little is known about his musical education, but in 1754 he became principal flute in the Leipzig orchestra Große Konzert, a predecessor of the Gewandhaus Orchestra. After the orchestra was disbanded, he toured as a soloist, including in St. Petersburg. After 1776, he gave up public performances and focused on writing instructional works.

Alongside his musical work, Tromlitz was a lawyer, independent publisher, and writer on music and musicians. He made flutes and other musical instruments. His works include pieces for flute and Eleven Songs to poems by Schiller and Hölty (1796).

His great-grandchildren included the composer Woldemar Bargiel and the pianist Clara Schumann.