Named for the German-Bohemian violinist and composer Johann Wenzel Anton Stamitz (1717–1757). He played in the orchestra during the coronation of Karl VII in Frankfurt in 1742. The Elector Palatine Carl Theodor invited Stamitz to Mannheim to conduct his orchestra. The composer of 74 symphonies, Stamitz started the Mannheim school of musicians and influenced Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven {see planets  (3941),  (1034) and  (1815), respectively}. (M 30802) _ _.