Composer and violinist, born in Mannheim, Germany. He studied under his father, and was a travelling instrumentalist in Paris, London, St Petersburg, Prague, and Nuremberg. In 1794 he became conductor of the orchestra at Jena. He wrote 80 symphonies, one of which was for a double orchestra, and concertos for violin, viola, cello, flute, oboe, clarinet, and harpsichord.