Krumpholtz, Johann Baptist

About 1745-1790

Famous harpist, composer and inventor of a two-pedal harp. He was born at Zlonitz, near Prague, and spent much of his life in Paris. His father, who was bandmaster in a Paris regiment, gave him his first music lessons, and later, when he became a member of Prince Esterhazy's Orchestra at Esterhazy, he studied under Haydn. He made a tour through Germany and then returned to France, where he married one of his pupils, Fraulein Meyer, who won a greater reputation as a player than himself. They made a number of successful tours together, but finally the wife eloped to England and Krumpholtz, overcome with grief, drowned himself in the Seine. His greatest work was in improving the harp. His best compositions for the harp are six grand concertos; thirty-six sonatas; and preludes; duets, quartets and symphonies for the harp with other instruments.