Markus Heinrich Grauel

Markus Heinrich Grauel (sometimes Marcus Heinrich Graul; 17?? – 1799) was a German composer and cellist of the classical period. Life Grauel was born in Eisenach, though his birth year remains unknown. The earliest available information concerning Grauel’s career is a mention of him working alongside his father-in-law, Johann Christian Hertel, at the court of the duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz in Neustrelitz at the time of the Hofkapelle’s dissolution in 1753, when he was forced to search for employment elsewhere. After leaving Neustrelitz, Grauel was employed by Johann Nepomuk Gotthard Graf von Schaffgotsch in Berlin. He began his employment at the Prussian court in Berlin on 1 December 1763, where he remained until his death in 1799. The majority of contemporary accounts concerning Grauel date from his time in Berlin. Most notably, Charles Burney, after his visit to Berlin in 1772 wrote: “M. Grauel, a violoncello performer in the King’s band, played a concerto; it was but ordinary music; however, it was well executed, though in the old manner, with the hand under the bow.” On the contrary, his compositional skill was mentioned favourably by two contemporary commentators, Ernst Lud