Albrechtsberger, Johann Georg

1736-1809

Born near Vienna. He was a distinguished organist and composer and a very important musical theorist. After being organist in a number of different places, he was appointed Court organist at Vienna in 1772, and in 1792 music-director at St. Stephen's Cathedral. He was also a successful teacher and had a large number of pupils. He was one of the teachers of Beethoven. His compositions are said to have been two hundred and sixty-one in number, of which only twenty-seven are printed. These include pieces for the piano and organ and stringed instruments, also masses, oratorios and hymns. His theoretical writings include Clavierschule fur Anfanger, Kurzgefasste Methode den General-bass zu erlernen and the well known Modulations from C major and C minor. His organ music is noted for its massive and sometimes heavy character and is well known among English organists.