1718 in music

Definition
The term 1718 in music designates the events, publications, compositions, performances, births, and deaths related to music that occurred during the calendar year 1718.

Overview
The year 1718 falls within the late Baroque period, a time characterized by the flourishing of instrumental and vocal music across Europe. Musical activity in 1718 was marked by the continued output of prominent composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frideric Handel, Antonio Vivaldi, and Jean-Philippe Rameau, as well as the emergence of the next generation of musicians who would shape the transition toward the Classical era.

Etymology/Origin
The phrase combines the Gregorian calendar year “1718” with the generic noun “music,” following the established convention used in chronological encyclopedic entries (e.g., 1732 in music, 1847 in music).

Characteristics

• Notable Compositions and Publications

  • Johann Sebastian Bach: Continued work on the Clavier-Übung I (the Well‑Tempered Clavier, Book I) and began composing the Orgelbüchlein (Little Organ Book).
  • George Frideric Handel: Composed the opera Rinaldo (premiered in 1711) and produced various cantatas; 1718 saw the publication of several Italian cantatas in London.
  • Antonio Vivaldi: Published several concertos, including Op. 7 (a set of violin concertos) in Amsterdam.
  • Jean-Philippe Rameau: Completed his treatise Traité de l'harmonie (though not published until 1722), with drafts circulating among Parisian musicians in 1718.

• Operatic and Theatrical Activity

  • The Royal Academy of Music in London staged works by Handel and other Italian composers, reflecting the city’s growing operatic scene.
  • In Dresden, the court orchestra under Johann David Heinichen performed a cycle of Festmusiken for the wedding of Prince Augustus III.

• Instrumental Developments

  • Continued refinement of the transverse flute and the violin, with Italian makers such as Antonio Stradivari producing instruments that were prized by court musicians.
  • The harpsichord remained the dominant keyboard instrument, though the early fortepiano prototypes were being explored by Bartolomeo Cristofori in Florence.

• Births

  • Johann Gottlieb Graun (b. 1718), German violinist and composer, later known for his symphonies and concertos.
  • Thomas Arne (b. 1718), English composer best known for the patriotic song “Rule, Britannia!”
  • Francesco Maria Veracini (b. 1718), Italian violinist and composer active in Dresden.

• Deaths

  • Johann Caspar Kerll (d. 1718), German composer and organist noted for his sacred music and instrumental works.
  • Louis Marchand (d. 1718), French organist, harpsichordist, and composer, whose rivalry with J.S. Bach remains a subject of historical interest.

• Cultural Context

  • The patronage system continued to dominate, with courts in Vienna, Dresden, and Versailles commissioning large-scale works.
  • Public concerts were emerging in cities such as London, Paris, and Amsterdam, providing venues for middle‑class audiences.

Related Topics

• Baroque music – the stylistic period encompassing 1718.
• 1717 in music and 1719 in music – adjacent chronological entries.
• Royal Academy of Music (London) – the institution that premiered many operas of the era.
• Treatise on Harmony – Rameau’s influential theoretical work drafted around this time.
• List of Baroque composers – for broader context on composers active in 1718.