A source on the history of a family of court musicians in the Electoral Palatinate

It is primarily official records, registers, and church records that provide us with information about the lives of 18th-century court musicians. Personal documents such as letters or diaries, on the other hand, are very rare. This makes the discovery of a family chronicle that offers insights into the family life of the Ziwny family—court musicians in the Electoral Palatinate—all the more delightful. For decades, members of this family served as horn players in the famous orchestra of Elector Carl Theodor. Joseph Ziwny was also responsible for the court’s chamber music. The family chronicle was compiled by his brother Wenzel. The descendants have now generously decided to donate this rare historical record to the city of Schwetzingen. The book, which records births, weddings, and deaths, is to be exhibited in the future at the new municipal museum in the Rothacker House in Schwetzingen. The official handover of the manuscript will take place on Saturday, May 20, 2023, at 6 p.m. at the Palais Hirsch (Schlossplatz 2, 68723 Schwetzingen) as part of a ceremony. Dr. Rüdiger Thomsen-Fürst from the Hof | Musik | Stadt Research Center will give a lecture on the history of the Ziwny family of court musicians, accompanied by music performed by two horn players from the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra.

Further information:

www.hofmusikstadt.de/index.php/aktuelles/die-chronik-der-familie-ziwny