In 1728, during a visit in Berlin, Quantz plays in front of the Crown Prince of Prussia. Frederic, then 16 years old, is so much charmed that he decides to take lessons of flute with the virtuoso, in spite of the objections of his father, King Frederic Guillaume 1st, who regards the music as a effeminé pastime. During the 13 following years, Quantz will go twice a year to Berlin to give lessons to the future king. When Frederic goes up on the throne in 1741 to become Frederic II, Quantz is invited to Sans-Souci, the royal residence of Potsdam, where the new monarch is surrounded by musicians like Frantz Benda, C.H. and J.G. Graun, and Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach. Quantz then becomes composer of the court, chef of the orchestra, professor of the King and flute maker.
