Altenburg, Johann Ernst

1734-1796

German trumpet-virtuoso, son of a father who was a noted player of the trumpet. The father, Johann Caspar, died in 1761. He served in several campaigns, and at the close of his connection with the army, traveled about Europe, meeting with great success. Johann Ernst was born at Weissenfels, and during the Seven Years' War served as field-trumpeter in the army. As a player he became more celebrated than his father. On leaving the army he accepted the position of organist at Bitterfeld. He was author of an instruction book for trumpets and drums, and wrote some compositions for those instruments. Biographers do not agree as to the dates of his birth and death.