Composer of the Month 2/2011: Johann Georg Albrechtsberger   (selected by Peter van Dessel / Belgium)

Austria 31.1.1986 Johann Georg Albrechtsberger was born in Klosterneuburg near Vienna on February 3rd, 1736. Aged seven years he became a choirboy and got organ lessons. From 1753 onwards he studied philosophy in Vienna where he was friend with Michael Haydn. After several employments in the provinces he came to Vienna as organist and organ builder in 1768. In 1770 he became organist of St. Stephan's Cathedral and in 1772 he became 2nd court organist at the court of emperor Joseph II. Albrechtsberger had numerous pupils, among this Carl Czerny, Johann Nepomuk Hummel, Franz Xaver Mozart and Ludwig Van Beethoven. He composed more than 500 musical works of Church music as well as about 200 secular works. Johann Georg Albrechtsberger died in Vienna on March 7th, 1809. His birth anniversary comes up again for the 275th time in February 2011. The video shows the 2nd. movement of Johann Georg Albrechtsberger's "Concertino in E-Flat" for Jew's harp and strings performed by Ken Dean (Jew's harp), Lisa Kerr (Piano), Roberta Arruda (Violin), Ikuko Kanda (Viola) and Dana Winograd (Cello), recorded at "Church of Beethoven", Albuquerque, New Mexico / USA on August 22nd 2010. More composers in our "members only" section.