Franz Xaver Suessmayr Austrian composer Date of Birth: 01.01.1766 Country: Austria

1. Early Life and Education
2. Mozart's Assistant and Legacy
3. Career as a Composer
4. Later Works and Legacy

Early Life and Education

Franz Xaver Süssmayr was an Austrian composer born in 1766. As a young man, he served as the main singer in a provincial Austrian church. In 1787, he moved to Vienna and became a student of Antonio Salieri. Later, he began studying under Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, with whom he developed a close relationship.

Mozart's Assistant and Legacy

Süssmayr lived in Mozart's house for a year as a full-fledged member of the family. He assisted Mozart as a copyist during the composition of "The Clemency of Titus" and "The Magic Flute." Additionally, he composed the second movement of Mozart's Horn Concerto N°1 and the recitatives for "The Clemency of Titus."

After Mozart's untimely death, Süssmayr completed the "Requiem" at the composer's dying request. This work sparked controversy due to speculations about the extent of Süssmayr's contributions. Despite this, the "Requiem" continues to be performed in Süssmayr's version.

Career as a Composer

From 1792 to 1794, Süssmayr held the position of Kapellmeister at the Vienna Burgtheater. He later moved on to the Kärntnertortheater as Kapellmeister from 1794 to 1801. Süssmayr composed numerous operas, including "The Turk in Italy" and "Soliman II, or the Three Sultanas." The trio "Tändeln und scherzen" from "Soliman II" inspired Beethoven's Eight Variations for Piano.

Later Works and Legacy

Beyond operas, Süssmayr also composed ballets, church music, symphonies, chamber music, and vocal music. His "German Requiem" and "Turkish Symphony" occasionally feature in performances. After Süssmayr's death in 1812, his ballet "The Walnut of Benevento" premiered at the La Scala in Milan. The famous scene of witches dancing frenzy inspired Niccolò Paganini's renowned "Witches" variations for violin and orchestra.