(b Havlíčkův Brod, 27 Nov 1750; d Paris or Versailles, 1789-1809). Bohemian composer, son of Johann Stamitz. He joined the Mannheim court orchestra in 1764, and in 1770 went to Paris with his brother Carl. Remaining there after Carl left, he was successful as violin and viola player, composer and teacher (notably of Rodolphe Kreutzer). In 1782-9 he served at the French court. He wrote principally concertos, quartets and duos.

The Concise Grove Dictionary of Music. Copyright © 1994 by Oxford University Press, Inc.. All rights reserved.