Johan Joachim Quantz (1697–1773), the son of a smith, became city piper of Merseburg, Germany, and later came to the court in Dresden {see planet  (3053)} as an oboe player. Thirty years later he took up the flute, studying throughout Europe and introducing new techniques for the flute. In 1741 he became the teacher and musical conductor for the Prussian king Friedrich II the Great. Quantz composed about 500 pieces for flute and published a book about playing the flute and on Baroque music in general. (M 34356) _ _.