Princess Anna Amalia of Prussia (1723 – 1787)
Princess Anna Amalia of Prussia was born in Berlin, the youngest sister of Frederick the Great and Princess Wilhelmine. She first learned music from her brother Frederick, who was taught by their mother. Their father, King Frederick William I, was abusive and reputedly hated music.
Much contradictory information exists about Anna Amalia — even whether she ever married or had children. Her own temperament was said to be mercurial. As one person wrote of her: “It is really true that the Princess’s conduct is unique. The waves of the sea are not more turbulent than her behavior. Good-natured and spiteful, philosopher, worldling, and pious woman, she is all of these by turns; ten times in the week she is satisfied and dissatisfied.”
Princess Anna Amalia became the influential abbess of Quedlinburg but continued to live in Berlin, where she studied music under Johann Philipp Kimberger, who was himself a student of J.S. Bach. She was a patron of musicians and composers, and also amassed an enormous collection of music of this period, which later became important when Baroque music was rediscovered during the 19th century, and which is still consulted by music scholars.
Besides playing harpsichord and violin, Anna Amalia also played the flute. It was very unusual for women of the era (and for some time thereafter) to play wind or brass instruments because it was considered improper to employ the feminine mouth in such a manner.
Many of Anna Amalia’s own compositions were either destroyed by herself or were lost. This performance of her Flute Sonata in F Major by the Montreal-based Infusion Baroque features period instruments, including the beautiful sound of a keyless wooden transverse flute.