Giovanni Hoffmann

Little is known about Giovanni Hoffmann’s life. He was active in Vienna around 1800; dates of approximately 1770–1814 are often given, but remain uncertain. He is sometimes called Johann, although the suggestion that Giovanni was an Italianised form of his first name is unproven. His highly idiomatic writing suggests that he was a mandolin virtuoso. The six-course mandolin was widespread in Viennese musical circles at the beginning of the nineteenth century, and Hoffmann was an important composer for the instrument.

His Concerto in D major for mandolin, two violins, viola, two oboes, two horns and bass displays a thorough understanding of musical form and a command of composition that draws on Haydn and the empfindsamer Stil of Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. Hoffmann’s Op. 1 consists of three duets for mandolin and violin, published by Träg in Vienna in 1799, by Artaria in 1801 and by Mollo in 1804. In 1804 Johann Träg and Son advertised another collection of three duets, possibly a reissue of Op. 1. Op. 2 is a further collection of three duets for mandolin and violin, also published by Träg. The same publisher issued a string trio with an additional mandolin part sold separately.

Other works by Hoffmann include two quartets for mandolin, violin, viola and cello; a cassation for mandolin and cello; four divertimenti for mandolin, violin and bass; three sonatas for mandolin and bass; two sonatas for two mandolins; and a serenade for mandolin and viola.