Franz Benda

Most Popular Works
See all

Biography

Born: November 22, 1709; Alt-Benatek, Czechoslovakia   Died: March 7, 1786; Neuendorf, Germany  
Franz Benda was one of the leaders in a generation of Bohemian musicians who entered Austrian and German musical life, filling important roles in the development of late Baroque and early Classical music.

Frantisek Benda (later Germanized to Franz) was the oldest of five musical children of a linen weaver and village musician who had married Dorota Brixi, an offspring of another major Bohemian music family. This was the foundation of a Read more dynasty of musicians that continues to this day, when one can readily obtain compact discs performed by a family group called the Benda Musicians.

Frantisek, the eldest, became a choirboy at St. Nicholas church in Prague when he was nine, giving him the opportunity for musical studies. However, he ran away from its discipline at 11 to Dresden, Germany, where he got a similar position and learned violin. He returned to Prague in 1723, becoming alto soloist in a Jesuit seminary, where he received a good general and musical education, remaining there until his voice changed and he then returned home and resumed violin studies.

When he got a little older, he fell in love with a baker's daughter and petitioned the local count for permission to learn the secrets of Bohemian gingerbread. The count offered as an alternative to pay Benda's way to Prague for more violin studies. After ten weeks, his teacher there, Konicek, pronounced him a fully trained professional. Benda later said he learned more by following around a Jewish street musician named Lebel.

The 16-year-old Benda escaped Bohemia without permission and got work in Poland. Benda formed a house orchestra for Governor Suchaczewski that was so good he was hired away by the King of Poland, Augustus II the Strong, in 1732. The king died a year later, leaving Benda unemployed. He went to Dresden, got a job, and came to the attention of King Frederick the Great of Prussia, who hired him in 1740 to a job Benda kept for life. He even accompanied Frederick (who was a flute player) on his military campaigns. He had six children, among whom four (two boys and two girls) became professional musicians. His main compositional legacy is an assortment of violin sonatas written at the Prussian court, in which he influenced the future development of violin playing. These manuscripts also contain many observations about style and ornamentation of the period, valuable to research in the "authentic" performance movement. Read less

Featured Franz Benda CDs & DVDs:

Benda: Violin Sonatas Nos. 10, 14, 23, 28 & 32 / Berg, Akutagawa
Benda: Violin Sonatas Nos. 10, 14, 23, 28 & 32 / Berg, Akutagawa
Release Date: 10/25/2011   Label: Naxos  
Catalog: 8572307   Number of Discs: 1
On sale! $9.99
CD: $7.99
In Stock
MP3 Available
BUY 
On sale!   $9.99   CD:  $7.99 Add CD to Cart

MP3:  $4.99 Add MP3 to Cart

Browse 1-25 of 32 Available Recordings
1 2
  • 1.
    Il Violino Boemo - Benda, Gurecky, Jiranek / Torgersen, Luks, Masek
    Il Violino Boemo - Benda, Gurecky, Jiranek / Torgersen, Luks, Masek
    Label: Supraphon   Catalog: 4151 Release Date: 01/28/2014   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Benda,  Frantisek Jiranek,  Josef Antonín Gurecký
    Performer:  Lenka Torgersen,  Václav Luks,  Libor Masek
    CD: $19.99
    Advance Order
    BUY 
    CD:  $19.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 2.
    Flute Music At The Berlin Court: Benda, Quantz, Kirnberger, C.p.e. Bach, Graun
    Flute Music At The Berlin Court: Benda, Quantz, Kirnberger, C.p.e. Bach, Graun
    Label: Accent   Catalog: 10140 Release Date: 09/03/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Benda,  Johann Joachim Quantz,  Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach,  Johann Philipp Kirnberger  ... 
    Performer:  Ewald Demeyere,  Frank Theuns
    CD: $14.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $14.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 3.
    Flotenkonzerte Aus Sanssouci / Gallois, Schreier
    Flotenkonzerte Aus Sanssouci / Gallois, Schreier
    Label: Deutsche Grammophon   Catalog: 001818702 Release Date: 04/02/2013   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Joachim Quantz,  Franz Benda,  Frederick the Great,  Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach
    Performer:  Klaus Kirbach,  Patrick Gallois,  Karl-Heinz Schröter,  Harald Winkler
    Conductor:  Peter Schreier
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  C.P.E. Bach Chamber Orchestra
    CD: $11.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $11.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 4.
    Frantisek Benda: 10 Sinfonie
    Label: Supraphon   Catalog: SU3646-2 Release Date: 01/01/2013   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Franz Benda
    Conductor:  Milan Munclinger
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Ars Rediviva Orchestra
    CD: $14.99
    Back Order
    BUY 
    CD:  $14.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 5.
    Flotenmusik Am Hofe Friedrich Ii Von Preussen
    Flotenmusik Am Hofe Friedrich Ii Von Preussen
    Label: Acanta/Pilz   Catalog: 233499 Release Date: 09/25/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Frederick the Great,  Johann Joachim Quantz,  Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach,  Franz Benda  ... 
    Performer:  Eberhard Grunenthal,  Werner Tast,  Karl-Heinz Passin,  Siegfried Pank  ... 
    Conductor:  Peter Gülke,  Heinz Schunk,  Wolf-Dieter Hauschild
    CD: $24.99
    In Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    CD:  $24.99 Add CD to Cart

    MP3:  $19.99 Add MP3 to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 6.
    Flute Concertos At Sanssouci - A Tribute To Frederick The Great / Pahud, Pinnock
    Flute Concertos At Sanssouci - A Tribute To Frederick The Great / Pahud, Pinnock
    Label: C Major   Catalog: 711308 Release Date: 08/28/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Frederick the Great,  Johann Joachim Quantz,  Franz Benda,  Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach
    Performer:  Emmanuel Pahud
    Conductor:  Trevor Pinnock
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Potsdam Chamber Academy
    On sale! $24.99
    DVD: $19.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $24.99   DVD:  $19.99 Add DVD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 7.
    Flute Concertos At Sanssouci - A Tribute To Frederick The Great / Pahud, Pinnock [blu-ray]
    Flute Concertos At Sanssouci - A Tribute To Frederick The Great / Pahud, Pinnock [blu-ray]
    Label: C Major   Catalog: 711404 Release Date: 08/28/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Frederick the Great,  Johann Joachim Quantz,  Franz Benda,  Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach
    Performer:  Emmanuel Pahud
    Conductor:  Trevor Pinnock
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Potsdam Chamber Academy
    On sale! $39.99
    Blu-ray Disc: $34.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $39.99   Blu-ray Disc:  $34.99 Add to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 8.
    Frantisek Benda: Violin Concertos / Zenatý, Prague Philharmonia
    Frantisek Benda: Violin Concertos / Zenatý, Prague Philharmonia
    Label: Supraphon   Catalog: 4064 Release Date: 05/15/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Benda
    Performer:  Ivan Zenaty
    Conductor:  Ivan Zenaty
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Prague Philharmonia
    Recommendation
    CD: $19.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $19.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 9.
    Solo For The King / Semeradova, Cuiller, Torgersen, Flekova
    Solo For The King / Semeradova, Cuiller, Torgersen, Flekova
    Label: Supraphon   Catalog: 4087 Release Date: 05/15/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Franz Benda,  Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach,  Johann Joachim Quantz  ... 
    Performer:  Lenka Torgersen,  Jana Semerádová,  Bertrand Cuiller,  Hana Fleková
    CD: $19.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $19.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 10.
    Benda: Violin Sonatas / Leila Schayegh, Felix Knecht, Vaclav Luks
    Benda: Violin Sonatas / Leila Schayegh, Felix Knecht, Vaclav Luks
    Label: Glossa   Catalog: 922507 Release Date: 01/31/2012   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Benda
    Performer:  Leila Schayegh,  Václav Luks,  Felix Knecht
    Recommendation
    CD: $18.99
    In Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    CD:  $18.99 Add CD to Cart

    MP3:  $9.99 Add MP3 to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 11.
    The Flute King / Emmanuel Pahud, Trevor Pinnock, Kammerakademie Potsdam
    The Flute King / Emmanuel Pahud, Trevor Pinnock, Kammerakademie Potsdam
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 0842302 Release Date: 01/10/2012   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach,  Franz Benda,  Frederick the Great,  Johann Joachim Quantz  ... 
    Performer:  Emmanuel Pahud,  Trevor Pinnock,  Matthew Truscott
    Conductor:  Trevor Pinnock
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Potsdam Chamber Academy
    CD: $19.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $19.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 12.
    Benda: Violin Sonatas Nos. 10, 14, 23, 28 & 32 / Berg, Akutagawa
    Benda: Violin Sonatas Nos. 10, 14, 23, 28 & 32 / Berg, Akutagawa
    Label: Naxos   Catalog: 8572307 Release Date: 10/25/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Benda
    Performer:  Hans-Joachim Berg,  Naoko Akutagawa
    Recommendation
    On sale! $9.99
    CD: $7.99
    In Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    On sale!   $9.99   CD:  $7.99 Add CD to Cart

    MP3:  $4.99 Add MP3 to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 13.
    Flute Concertos - C.P.E. Bach, Benda, Chopin, Danzi
    Flute Concertos - C.P.E. Bach, Benda, Chopin, Danzi
    Label: Brilliant Classics   Catalog: 94097 Release Date: 06/28/2011   Number of Discs: 10
    Composer:  Franz Danzi,  Franz Benda,  Franz Anton Hoffmeister,  Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach  ... 
    Performer:  András Adorján,  Ingrid Dingfelder,  Machiko Takahashi,  Frank De Bruine  ... 
    Conductor:  Hans Stadlmair,  Milan Munclinger,  Sir Charles Mackerras,  Roland Kieft  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Ars Rediviva Orchestra,  Cordevento,  Modo Antiquo Ensemble
    CD: $29.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $29.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 14.
    A Golden Treasury Of Flute Music / Beznosiuk, Ikeda, Et Al
    A Golden Treasury Of Flute Music / Beznosiuk, Ikeda, Et Al
    Label: Amon Ra   Catalog: 70 Release Date: 01/11/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Carl Maria von Weber,  Thomas Augustine Arne,  Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach,  Mauro Giuliani  ... 
    Performer:  Richard Burnett,  Jennifer Ward-Clarke,  Stephen Preston,  Mark Caudle  ... 
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Nouveau Quartet,  Preston's Pocket,  Cambridge Baroque Camerata  ... 
    On sale! $17.98
    CD: $15.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $17.98   CD:  $15.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 15.
    Rare Baroque Flute Concertos / Neil Mclaren
    Rare Baroque Flute Concertos / Neil Mclaren
    Label: Amon Ra   Catalog: 52 Release Date: 01/11/2011   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Benda,  Jacques-Christoph Naudot,  Johann Joachim Quantz,  Giuseppe Tartini
    Performer:  Neil McLaren
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Cambridge Baroque Camerata
    On sale! $17.98
    CD: $15.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $17.98   CD:  $15.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 16.
    Franz & Georg Anton Benda: Concerti / Terakado, Ad-el, Benda, De Winne, Et Al
    Franz & Georg Anton Benda: Concerti / Terakado, Ad-el, Benda, De Winne, Et Al
    Label: Accent   Catalog: 24215 Release Date: 11/24/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Georg Anton Benda,  Franz Benda
    Performer:  Shalev Ad-El,  Ryo Terakado,  Jan De Winne
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Il Gardellino Ensemble
    Recommendation
    On sale! $25.98
    CD: $21.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $25.98   CD:  $21.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 17.
    The Flute at the Court of Frederick the Great / Jean-Pierre Rampal
    The Flute at the Court of Frederick the Great / Jean-Pierre Rampal
    Label: Cbs Masterworks   Catalog: 39702 Release Date: 05/22/2009   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Johann Joachim Quantz,  Frederick the Great,  Franz Benda
    Performer:  Jean-Pierre Rampal
    Conductor:  Jean-Pierre Wallez
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Paris Orchestral Ensemble
    Recommendation
    ArkivCD $16.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    ArkivCD:  $16.99 Add to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 18.
    Musical Legacy Of Frederick The Great / Gerhard Mallon, Julian Byzantine
    Musical Legacy Of Frederick The Great / Gerhard Mallon, Julian Byzantine
    Label: Meridian Records   Catalog: 84558 Release Date: 08/12/2008   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach,  Frederick the Great,  Johann Joachim Quantz,  Franz Benda
    Performer:  Julian Byzantine,  Gerhard Mallon
    On sale! $18.98
    CD: $16.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $18.98   CD:  $16.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 19.
    Benda: Six Violin Sonatas / Anton Steck, Christian Rieger
    Benda: Six Violin Sonatas / Anton Steck, Christian Rieger
    Label: Cpo   Catalog: 777214 Release Date: 01/30/2007   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Benda
    Performer:  Anton Steck,  Christian Rieger
    Recommendation
    CD: $17.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $17.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 20.
    The Most Relaxing Flute Music In The Universe
    The Most Relaxing Flute Music In The Universe
    Label: Denon Records   Catalog: 17593 Release Date: 03/14/2006   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Michel Blavet,  Benedetto Marcello,  Johann Gottfried Müthel  ... 
    Performer:  Masahiro Arita,  Chiyoko Arita,  Wieland Kuijken,  Tetsuya Nakano  ... 
    Conductor:  Maximiano Valdes,  Hans Stadlmair,  Jean-Pierre Rampal
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Nice Philharmonic Orchestra,  Munich Chamber Orchestra,  Mozart String Trio  ... 
    CD: $12.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $12.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 21.
    Art Of Flute - Vivaldi, Bach, Benda / Baarova, Et Al
    Art Of Flute - Vivaldi, Bach, Benda / Baarova, Et Al
    Label: Euromusica   Catalog: 12 Release Date: 08/30/2005   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach,  Gioachino Rossini,  Antonín Dvorák,  Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart  ... 
    Performer:  Lenka Baarova,  Jan Niederle
    Conductor:  Jan Niederle
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Baarova Ensemble
    On sale! $20.98
    CD: $17.99
    In Stock
    BUY 
    On sale!   $20.98   CD:  $17.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 22.
    Franz Benda: Flute Concertos / Laurence Dean, Rohrig, Lohr
    Franz Benda: Flute Concertos / Laurence Dean, Rohrig, Lohr
    Label: Christophorus   Catalog: 77261 Release Date: 10/21/2003   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Benda
    Performer:  Bernward Lohr,  Anne Rohrig
    Import CD: $18.99
    2-3 Days
    BUY 
    Import CD:  $18.99 Add to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 23.
    Great Conductors Of The 20th Century - Václav Talich
    Great Conductors Of The 20th Century - Václav Talich
    Label: Emi Classics   Catalog: 75483 Release Date: 02/11/2003   Number of Discs: 2
    Composer:  Vitezslav Novák,  Franz Benda,  Bedrich Smetana,  Antonín Dvorák  ... 
    Conductor:  Vaclav Talich
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
    Recommendation
    On sale! $24.98
    ArkivCD $21.99
    In Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    On sale!   $24.98   ArkivCD:  $21.99 Add to Cart

    MP3:  $7.99 Add MP3 to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 24.
    Benda, Stamitz, Rosetti: Flute Concertos
    Label: Supraphon   Catalog: 3648 Release Date: 11/26/2002   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Benda,  Carl Stamitz,  Antonio Rosetti
    Performer:  Viktoria Svihlikova,  Jean-Pierre Rampal
    Conductor:  Milan Munclinger,  Václav Neumann,  Martin Turnovsky
    CD: $17.99
    Low Stock
    BUY 
    CD:  $17.99 Add CD to Cart
    WISH LIST

  • 25.
    Jan Jiri And Frantisek Benda: Violin Concertos Vol 1
    Jan Jiri And Frantisek Benda: Violin Concertos Vol 1
    Label: Naxos   Catalog: 8553902 Release Date: 11/20/2001   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Franz Benda,  Jan Jiri Benda
    Performer:  Ariane Pfister-Benda,  Josef Suk
    Conductor:  Christian Benda
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Suk Chamber Orchestra
    On sale! $9.99
    CD: $7.99
    Low Stock
    MP3 Available
    BUY 
    On sale!   $9.99   CD:  $7.99 Add CD to Cart

    MP3:  $4.99 Add MP3 to Cart
    WISH LIST

1 2