Franz Xaver Niemetschek
Encyclopedia
Franz Xaver Niemetschek (b. Sadská
, Bohemia
, 24 July 1766; died Vienna
19 March 1849) was a Czech philosopher, teacher
and music critic. He wrote the first full-length biography of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
which has remained an important source of information about the composer.
at the Gymnasium and read philosophy at the university. He taught poetry
and Latin
at the Gymnasiums in Pilsen and started a music publishing business. In 1800 he was awarded a doctorate and in 1802 he became professor at Prague University, lecturing on logic
, ethics
and pedagogy
. The composer Jan Hugo Vořišek was one of his pupils. He was made a freeman of Pilsen and Prague
for his many valuable contributions to the arts, e.g. as director of the institute for the deaf and dumb. He wrote books on music history. He lived near the residence of Josepha Duschek
ova in the Liechtenstein Palace in the Lesser Quarters of Prague, and was a frequent visitor at the musical gatherings in Bertramka
. In 1820 he retired to Vienna
after disagreements with the university authorities.
Niemetschek was one of the first music critics in Prague
. He saw the Singspiel
as the principal factor in the decline of musical standards in the city.
Niemetschek died in Vienna at the age of 82 and is buried in St Marx’ Cemetery, Vienna. Unfortunately his estate, which contained many valuable documents, is now lost.
made many documents available to him for his research. His book Leben des k.k.Kapellmeisters Wolfgang Gottlieb Mozart was published in 1798. Later, in 1808, it was published in an altered form with the title Lebensbeschreibung des k.k. Kapellmeisters Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Niemetschek claimed to have had a long association with Mozart, but the lack of direct quotations or citings of personal conversations makes modern scholars wonder whether his claims were possibly exaggerated. However, he welcomed Mozart’s two surviving sons into his home in the Lesser Quarter and became a foster father figure to them.
As the biography makes clear, Niemetschek was very proud of his Czech nationality, and he strongly emphasizes the warm reception that Mozart received during his visits to Prague. See Mozart and Prague
.
Based on research by Austrian scholar Walther Brauneis severe doubt has recently been cast on the veracity of Niemetschek's claim that he actually made Mozart's personal acquaintance.
Sadská
Sadská is a town in the Central Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. It has around 3,100 inhabitants. Near Sadská is the River Labe and a lake, that was formed by recent sand mining.-External links:*...
, Bohemia
Bohemia
Bohemia is a historical region in central Europe, occupying the western two-thirds of the traditional Czech Lands. It is located in the contemporary Czech Republic with its capital in Prague...
, 24 July 1766; died Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
19 March 1849) was a Czech philosopher, teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
and music critic. He wrote the first full-length biography of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , baptismal name Johannes Chrysostomus Wolfgangus Theophilus Mozart , was a prolific and influential composer of the Classical era. He composed over 600 works, many acknowledged as pinnacles of symphonic, concertante, chamber, piano, operatic, and choral music...
which has remained an important source of information about the composer.
Life
Niemetschek (who always spelt his name "Nemetschek") came from a large, musical family. He received his schooling in PraguePrague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
at the Gymnasium and read philosophy at the university. He taught poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
and Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
at the Gymnasiums in Pilsen and started a music publishing business. In 1800 he was awarded a doctorate and in 1802 he became professor at Prague University, lecturing on logic
Logic
In philosophy, Logic is the formal systematic study of the principles of valid inference and correct reasoning. Logic is used in most intellectual activities, but is studied primarily in the disciplines of philosophy, mathematics, semantics, and computer science...
, ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
and pedagogy
Pedagogy
Pedagogy is the study of being a teacher or the process of teaching. The term generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction....
. The composer Jan Hugo Vořišek was one of his pupils. He was made a freeman of Pilsen and Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
for his many valuable contributions to the arts, e.g. as director of the institute for the deaf and dumb. He wrote books on music history. He lived near the residence of Josepha Duschek
Josepha Duschek
Josepha Duschek was an outstanding soprano singer of the Classical era. She was a friend of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who wrote a number of works for her to sing.Her name is most often given in its German version as above...
ova in the Liechtenstein Palace in the Lesser Quarters of Prague, and was a frequent visitor at the musical gatherings in Bertramka
Bertramka
Bertramka is a villa in Prague where Mozart was a frequent guest. Bertramka is now a museum dedicated to the memory of Mozart and to the former owners and Mozart’s hosts: Mr and Mrs Dušek.Bertramka is situated about a mile from the city centre...
. In 1820 he retired to Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
after disagreements with the university authorities.
Niemetschek was one of the first music critics in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
. He saw the Singspiel
Singspiel
A Singspiel is a form of German-language music drama, now regarded as a genre of opera...
as the principal factor in the decline of musical standards in the city.
Niemetschek died in Vienna at the age of 82 and is buried in St Marx’ Cemetery, Vienna. Unfortunately his estate, which contained many valuable documents, is now lost.
His Mozart biography
Mozart's widow ConstanzeConstanze Mozart
Constanze Mozart was the wife of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.-Early years:Constanze Weber was born in Zell im Wiesental. Her mother was Cäcilia Weber, née Stamm. Her father Fridolin Weber worked as a "double bass player, prompter and music copyist." Fridolin's half-brother was the father of composer...
made many documents available to him for his research. His book Leben des k.k.Kapellmeisters Wolfgang Gottlieb Mozart was published in 1798. Later, in 1808, it was published in an altered form with the title Lebensbeschreibung des k.k. Kapellmeisters Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Niemetschek claimed to have had a long association with Mozart, but the lack of direct quotations or citings of personal conversations makes modern scholars wonder whether his claims were possibly exaggerated. However, he welcomed Mozart’s two surviving sons into his home in the Lesser Quarter and became a foster father figure to them.
As the biography makes clear, Niemetschek was very proud of his Czech nationality, and he strongly emphasizes the warm reception that Mozart received during his visits to Prague. See Mozart and Prague
Mozart and Prague
The composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is often said to have had a special relationship with the city of Prague and its people. Mozart biographer Maynard Solomon writes of...
.
Based on research by Austrian scholar Walther Brauneis severe doubt has recently been cast on the veracity of Niemetschek's claim that he actually made Mozart's personal acquaintance.