Franz Krommer produced a prolific body of work that encompassed over 300 published compositions, cementing his standing as a significant figure in the musical landscape of 19th-century Vienna. While often overshadowed by his contemporaries, he maintained a distinct professional trajectory that carried him from his origins in the Margraviate of Moravia to the center of the imperial court.
Early Training and Migration
Born as František Vincenc Kramář in 1759 in Kamenice, he later adopted the Germanized surname Krommer. His foundational musical training took place between 1773 and 1776 in Brno-Tuřany under his uncle, Antonín Mattias Kramář. During this period, he developed skills in violin and organ, eventually serving as an organist alongside his uncle starting in 1777. The family had previously relocated from Kamenice to Třebíč in 1773.
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In 1785, he moved to Vienna and subsequently to Simontornya, Hungary, where he worked as a violinist and Kapellmeister for the orchestra of the Count of Limburg Stirum. By 1790, he accepted the position of choirmaster at Pécs Cathedral. His career in Hungary continued in 1793 when he took on the role of Kapellmeister for Count Anton II Grassalkovich. He returned to Vienna in 1795 and secured a post as maestro di cappella for Duke Ignaz Fuchs in 1798.
Imperial Court Service
The pinnacle of his career arrived in 1818 when he succeeded Leopold Koželuch as Kapellmeister and composer for the imperial court of Austria, serving under Francis I, the first Emperor of Austria. Some records suggest he may have assumed this role as early as 1814. He remained in this prestigious position until his death in Vienna on 8 January 1831 at the age of 71.
Musical Legacy and Cataloging
His output spanned 110 opus numbers, including at least nine symphonies, 70 string quartets, and various pieces for wind and string ensembles. He is particularly recognized for his clarinet and double clarinet concertos. His work is sometimes categorized using the system developed by Karel Padrta, which supplements standard opus numbering to identify specific pieces such as the concerto in E minor, Op. 86.
Fast facts
- Born: 1759, Kamenice
- Died: 8 January 1831, Vienna
- Occupations: Composer, conductor, organist, violinist
- Imperial appointment: Kapellmeister for Francis I
- Total compositions: At least 300
- Nationality: Margraviate of Moravia
Questions readers ask
What instruments did Franz Krommer play?
He was trained as a violinist and an organist.
Was he connected to other famous composers?
He was a contemporary of Beethoven in Vienna, and the two men knew each other.
Achievements
- Instruments: organ and violin
- Genres: symphony, classical music and liturgical music
