Graun, Karl Heinrich

Graun, Karl Heinrich an eminent German composer, was born at Wahrenbruck, Saxony, May 7, 1701. He sang in the choir at Dresden, and received instruction from various masters. Here he began the composition of cantatas and other sacred pieces at an early age. He was afterwards employed as tenor singer and composer at the opera-house of Brunswick, and became celebrated for his talents throughout Germany. In 1740 he became chapel-master to Frederick the Great, a position which he retained during the remainder of his life. He died at Berlin, August 8, 1759. Among his sacred pieces are two settings of The Passion, and his oratorio The Death of' Jesus. See Encyclop. Brit. 9th ed. s.v.