Parthia and Three Concertos by Johann Adam Scheibl in the Archives of the Ptuj Reference Library

Abstract

The article deals with four compositions, a Parthia and three Concertos by Johann Adam Scheibl, who is considered by Austrian musicology to be one of the most important Austrian composers from the time of Maria Theresa. The compositions mentioned are preserved in manuscript only in the archives of the Ptuj Reference Library. They are characteristic and interesting as an enrichment to the stylistic picture of musical performance and creation on Slovene territory in the second half of the 18th century, as it is justifiably supposed that they once belonged to a musical collection in one of the castles in the north-east of Slovenia. Basically, all four compositions are typically set for a trio: two soloist stringed instruments plus harpsichord. The latter plays a continuo role in places, but elsewhere its part is completely fixed, which indicates that the compostions, in general of a somewhat gallant character, belong to the transitional period between Baroque and Classicism. This is evident from the reconstructed scores: in their melodies, rhythm, harmony and form.