Name Johan Mazer | Died 1847 | |
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Johan Mazer, (1790–1847), Swedish, second generation, of Wallonian origin. He went to a French abbey school where he got, amongst other things, musical education. Businessman and passionate music lover and practitioner. Systematically played, at least from 1823, chamber music in his home or in his summer residence in Djurgården (Stockholm). A record of many soirées was kept with date, participants and works - "Djurgårdsbolaget". Amongst other things much contemporary music was played which had been hastily acquired from various publishers on the continent.
In his testament Mazer requested that the tradition should be carried on and that his friends should build a society which would regularly meet and make music. His friends respected his request and in 1849 the Mazer String Quartet Society began its activity. As in Mazer's time professional musicians and non professional music lovers played together. The tradition of keeping a record of what was played was also continued, which gives an interesting testimony about music interests over time.