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Leopold KozeluchCzech composer
Date of Birth: 26.06.1747
Country:  Czech |
Content:
Leopold Koželuch
Early Life and EducationBorn in 1747 as Jan Antonín Koželuh, the Czech composer was often mistaken for his cousin and teacher, Jan Antonín Koželuh. To avoid confusion, he officially changed his name to Leopold in 1774. He also studied piano under František Dušek.
Career in Vienna
Koželuch moved to Vienna in 1778, initially composing ballets. He became the music teacher to Archduchess Elisabeth, daughter of Maria Theresa. When Mozart resigned as court composer to the Archbishop of Salzburg, Koželuch was invited to succeed him. However, he declined, hinting that he would not be treated with respect where a musician of Mozart's caliber had not been retained.
Success in Prague
Koželuch ultimately became Mozart's successor in 1792, replacing him as court composer in Prague. Unlike Mozart, he was appointed as chamber conductor and received a salary twice as large.
Compositions
Koželuch's compositions, including the opera "Gustav Vasa" (1792), the oratorio "Moses in Egypt," 30 symphonies, numerous concertos (22 for piano alone, plus an exotic Concerto for Piano Four Hands with Orchestra), and chamber music, enjoyed great popularity at the turn of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Personal Life
Koželuch's daughter, Katarina Čibíni, was a pianist and composer.Beethoven's Disdain
Ludwig van Beethoven famously referred to Koželuch as "miserabilis" (wretched). However, the context of this statement reveals that Beethoven was demanding a higher fee for publishing his songs than Koželuch, whom he considered inferior in the genre.
