Carl Ferdinand Pohl

“ Of his three sons, the eldest, Johann, scarcely less gifted than his father, was born in Vienna, October 25, 1825. In accordance with the father's wish that none of his sons should adopt his own line of life, Johann, after finishing his education at the Gymnasium and Polytechnic Institute, became a clerk in the savings' bank, although he had, with his mother's help, long taken lessons in secret on the violin, and even studied composition with Drechsler. ”

“ Vogl in his diary calls Schubert's compositions 'truly divine inspirations, utterances of a musical [3] clairvoyance,' and Schubert, writing to his brother Ferdinand, says, 'when Vogl sings and I accompany him we seem for the moment to be one, which strikes the good people here as something quite unheard of.' In the summer of 1825 the two friends met at Steyer, and made a walking tour through Upper Austria and Styria, singing Schubert's songs like a couple of wandering minstrels at all their resting-places, whether monasteries or private houses. ”

“ STRAUSS, Johann, composer of dance-music of world-wide celebrity, born in Vienna, March 14, 1804. As a child he showed talent for music, and a love for the violin, but his parents, small innkeepers, apprenticed him to a bookbinder, from whom he ran away. A friend met him, took him back, and persuaded the parents to entrust him with the boy's education as a musician. With the son of this benefactor the little Strauss learnt the violin from Polyschansky, afterwards studying harmony and instrumentation with Seyfried. ”

“ Constanze, born 1763 at Zell, became Mozart's wife. When the Archbishop of Salzburg dismissed Mozart from his household in Vienna, the latter took up his abode with Frau Weber (her husband had died of apoplexy) , then living with three of her daughters, Aloysia being married, in a house called 'Zum Auge Gottes,' in the Peters-Platz. Here began the love affair which caused Mozart's father so much anxiety. The marriage took place Aug. 4, 1782, and in nine years Constanze was left a widow. For the support of herself and children she made several professional tours. ”

“ Besides a number of operas, of which the greatest and most lasting favourites were 'Maria von Montalban' (Munich 1798) and the 'Unterbrochene Opferfest,' popular on account of its catching melodies, Winter composed a quantity of church music, cantatas, Lieder, part-songs, and instrumental works (symphonies, overtures, and concerted pieces for various instruments) , most of which were printed, but have long since disappeared. His singing Method (Schott, Mayence, with German, French, and Italian words) is however still of value. ”

“ Whose violin-playing approaches nearer the human voice? On the whole Salomon is a mannerist, but he has much originality—he is very susceptible—he is a genius.' In 1786 he gave a series of subscription concerts at the Hanover Square Rooms, and produced symphonies by Haydn and Mozart. ”

“ While Gassmann was in Rome, composing an opera for the Carnival of 1770, Salieri conducted the rehearsals for him, and composed his own first comic opera, 'Le Donne letterate,' which received the approval of Gluck and Calsabigi, and was performed with success at the Burgtheater. On Gassmann's death in 1774 Salieri returned his paternal kindness by doing all in his power for the family, and educating the two daughters as opera singers. ”

“ Antonio Salieri, primo Maestro di Cappella della corte imperiale di Vienna. Vienna, 30 Mar, 1807.'—'I the undersigned certify that the young Signor W. A. Mozart, already a good player on the PF., has a rare talent for music, to perfect himself in which, having studied the rules of counterpoint in the school of Sig. Albrechtsberger, Maestro di Capella at S. Stephen's, he is now practising under me, to that degree that I predict a result not inferior to that of his celebrated father. Antonio Salieri, principal Maestro di Cupella of the Imperial Court of Vienna. ”

“ Schikaneder made various suggestions in the composition, took the part of Papageno, and found himself saved from ruin by the success of the opera; but he showed little gratitude to Mozart, and after his death, instead of helping the widow of the man by whom he had benefitted so materially, contented himself with loud and vain lamentations. In 1800 he entered into partnership with a merchant named Zitterbarth, who at a short distance from the small theatre just mentioned, built the present 'Theater an der Wien,' opened June 13, 1801. ”

“ The 'Morning Herald,' says of him 'He does not play in the most graceful style, it must be confessed, but his tone and execution are such as cannot fail to secure him a number of admirers in the musical world.' From this time he frequently appeared at concerts as soloist, quartet-player (violin and viola) and conductor. ”

“ The Schotts, besides innumerable services to art and artists, have done good work in a smaller circle by fostering music in Mayence itself. Franz and his wife Betty (née Braunrasch, born 1820, died 1875) left a considerable sum for the maintenance of a permanent orchestra and conductor of eminence, in order that Mayence might hold its own in music with the richer cities of the Rhine provinces. ”

“ His airs are specially weak, never seeming fully developed. Winter could amuse and entertain, but to seize the imagination, to touch, to agitate, was beyond him. This is why even his best and most popular works disappeared from the stage soon after his death. ”

“ The youngest of his brothers, Eduard, was born at Vienna, Feb. 14, 1835, and educated at the Schotten and Akademien Gymnasiums. His father having died before he grew up he devoted himself entirely to music, learnt the harp, and studied composition with Preyer. In 1862 he made his first appearance as a conductor in the Dianasaal, and was well received for his father's sake. In 1865 he took his brother Johann's place at the concerts in St. Petersburg, and in 1870 became conductor of the court balls. ”

“ Weigl was twice invited to Milan to compose for the Scala—in 1807, when he produced two operas, 'Cleopatra,' and 'Il rivale di sè stesso,' and 1815, when he produced 'L'imboscata,' and a cantata, 'Il ritorno d'Astrea,' all with great success. Of his earlier cantatas, 'Minerva e Flora' was given at Prince Auersperg's in honour of a visit from the King and Queen of Sicily (1791) , and 'Venere ed Adone' at Esterhaz in 1792, when the Archduke (afterwards Emperor) Joseph was staying with Prince Esterhazy at his country seat on the Neusiedlersee. ”

“ The theatre An der Wien was the scene of his triumphs as a composer of operettas, which rapidly spread to all the theatres, large and small. 'Indigo und die vierzig Räuber' (his first, 1871) , 'Der Karneval in Rom,' 'Die Fledermaus,' 'Prinz Methusalem,' 'Cagliostro,' 'Das Spitzentuch der Königin,' and 'Die lustige Krieg,' all published by Spina, were soon known all over the world, and were sung everywhere. After the death of his wife on April 8, 1878, he married another dramatic singer, Angelica Dittrich. His pen is still busy (1883) , and we may hope for more of its lively productions. ”

“ At a time when the book and music trade was regulated by no fixed laws, the correct and elegant editions of Mayence found a ready entrance into foreign countries, and the firm was thus stimulated to keep ahead of rivals by making constant improvements in music-printing and engraving. ”

“ VOGL, Johann Michael, distinguished opera-singer, and, with Baron von [1] Schönstein, one of the principal interpreters of Schubert's songs, born Aug. 10, 1768, at Steyer in Upper Austria. A chorister in his native town at seven, he was systematically grounded in singing, theoretically and practically, and thus early acquired flexibility of voice and purity of intonation. He had his general education in the monastery of Kremsmunster, and took part there in little Singspiele by Süssmayer, giving considerable promise both as singer and actor. ”

“ TOMASINI, Luigi (Aloysius) , eminent violinist, and distinguished member of Prince Esterhazy's band under Haydn, born 1741 at Pesaro. In 1757 he became a member of Prince Paul Anton's household at his palace of Eisenstadt in Hungary, and on Haydn's undertaking the Vice-Capellmeistership in 1761, was at once promoted by him to be first violin. He was afterwards leader, and director of the chamber-music, with a largely increased salary. ”

“ He lived in close friendship with Schubert and Grillparzer up to his death, which took place Dec. 26, 1835. He received the Danebrog Order, and honorary diplomas from several musical societies. His nephew, Leopold Edler von Sonnleithner, son of Ignaz, advocate and eminent amateur, born Nov. 15, 1797, was a great friend of the sisters Fröhlich, Schubert, Schwind the painter, and Grillparzer. He took great care to preserve Schubert's songs, and to introduce the composer to the musical world, by publishing, with the help of other friends, his 'Erlkönig' and other early songs, for the first time. ”

“ His next tour began in October 1837, and embraced Strassburg, Paris, Rouen, Havre, Belgium, London, and the larger towns of Great Britain; he then returned to Belgium, and back to England and Scotland, and finally returned over the Continent by Strassburg, reaching Vienna in December 1838 in very bad health. His success in Paris was unprecedented, notwithstanding the formidable rivalry of Musard and Dufresne, with the former of whom he wisely joined for a series of thirty concerts. ”

“ To avoid recognition he Italianized his name to Punto, and travelled in Germany and France, settling for a time in Würzburg, Treves, Coblenz, Paris, etc., and attracting considerable attention. In Paris he made the acquaintance of Mozart, who composed for him a Sinfonie concertante for flute, oboe, horn, and bassoon, never played and now unfortunately lost. 'Punto plays magnificently' (bläst magnifique) writes Mozart to his father. ”

“ Of his church works there are now in the Royal Chapel at Munich 26 Masses, 2 Requiems, 3 Stabat Maters, and a quantity of graduales, offertoires, vespers, etc. For the Protestant court chapel he wrote 7 cantatas, 2 oratorios, a German Stabat Mater, and smaller anthems.
Winter's strong points were just declamation, agreeable melody, brilliant choral writing, and rich instrumentation, which he never suffered to overpower the voices. His weakness was in counterpoint, which he had never found an opportunity of mastering thoroughly. As a whole his church music is preferable to his operas ”

“ In recognition of his unwearied industry and research he was made a member of the Historische Verein of Upper Bavaria, of the Dom-Musikverein and the Mozarteum of Salzburg, of the Congregazione ed Accademia Pontifica di Santa Cecilia of Rome, of the Societa litteraria dell' Areopago of Genoa, and of the Archæological Societies of Vienna, Nuremberg, etc. ”

“ Matheson also mentions them in his 'Volkommene Kapellmeister.' The best testimony to Buxtehude's greatness is contained in the fact of Sebastian Bach having made a journey of fifty miles on foot that he might become personally acquainted with the Lübeck concerts. In fact Buxtehude became the great musical centre for the North of Europe, and the young musicians flocked around him. Amongst these was Nicolas Bruhns, who excelled Buxtehude himself both in composition and in organ-playing. ”

“ His works include 13 Italian and 18 German operas, 17 ballets, 2 oratorios, 12 Italian and 7 German cantatas, 9 masses, 6 graduates, 6 offertoires; scenas in various languages; airs for insertion in operas; songs, airs and duets with PF. accompaniment; and various instrumental pieces. His younger brother,
Thaddäus, born 1776, wrote a number of operas and ballets for the Leopoldstadt Theatre and the two Court Theatres, and was at one time Capellmeister and director of the musical archives of the Court Theatre. His name lives, however, not as a musician, but as a music publisher. ”

“ He played the flute and cello, had quartet parties twice a week at his house, and on Sundays acted plays, in which he took part himself with his family, clerks, and servants. He had moreover the ambition to figure as a composer, and to this end commissioned various composers to write him unsigned works, which he copied, had performed, and asked the audience to guess who the composer was. ”

“ In 1780 his wanderings brought him to Salzburg, where he fell in with the Mozarts, and at once began to make a profit out of Wolfgang's talents. In 1784 we find him in Vienna, giving with Kumpf a series of excellent performances of German opera, comedy, etc., at the Kärnthnerthor theater. ”

“ He married the daughter of a Polish General in 1803, in which year he also became a member of the Tonkünstler-Societät. He resembled his brother both in talent and disposition, and, like him, was several times dismissed, and taken on again with increased salary. ”

“ He next went to the University of Vienna, and was about taking a permanent post in the magistracy of the City when Süssmayer engaged him for the Court-opera. He played with the German Opera Company formed by Süssmayer in the summer of 1794, and made his début as a regular member of the Court Opera in the following May. ”

“ Gluck assented, adding, half in joke, half in earnest. 'Before long I will send you word from the other world in what key our Saviour speaks.' Four days later, Nov. 15, 1787, he was dead. ↑ The autograph of Schubert's Cantata—both words and music by him—was sold by auction in Paris, May 14, 1881. ↑ See Moscheles's Life. i. 10. ↑ Nottebohm's 'Mozartiana.' 64. ↑ 'Io qui sottoscritto faccio fede che il giovine Signor Wolfgango Amadeo Mozart, gia bravo suonator di Pianoforte, ha un talento raro per la musica ”

“ Matheson also complained that of Buxtehude's clavier pieces, in which his principal strength lay, few if any existed. A collection of seven 'Claviersuiten' mentioned by Matheson (Volk. Kapellmeister, 130) , 'in which the nature and character of the planets are agreeably expressed,' exists probably only in MS. In later times fourteen 'Choral-Bearbeitungen' were edited by Dehn (Peters) . ”