Organist and Composer. A child prodigy, at age seven he was already serving as organist of the Vaduz parish church, and his first composition was performed the following year. In 1849, he studied with composer Philipp M. Schmutzer. In 1851 his father, who had initially opposed his son's desire to embark on the life of a professional musician, relented and allowed him to enter the Munich Conservatorium. Not long after graduating, he became professor of piano and of composition at the same institution. When this first version of the Munich Conservatorium was dissolved, he was appointed repetiteur at the Court Theatre, from which he resigned in 1867. In 1877 he was appointed court conductor, responsible for the music in the royal chapel. He was subsequently awarded an honorary doctorate by Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. When the second (and present) Munich Conservatorium was founded, he was appointed Royal Professor of organ and composition, a post he held for the rest of his life. A prolific composer, his religious works include twelve Masses (one for double chorus, three for four voices a cappella, three for women's voices and organ, two for men's voices and one with orchestra), a Requiem and a Stabat Mater. His other works include several operas, symphonies, chamber music, and choral works. In 1894 his health started to decline and he was forced to give up the post of Court Music Director. He died at the age of 62. Originally interred in the Alter Südfriedhof, his grave was destroyed during World War II, and in 1950 his remains were moved to his home town of Vaduz.
Organist and Composer. A child prodigy, at age seven he was already serving as organist of the Vaduz parish church, and his first composition was performed the following year. In 1849, he studied with composer Philipp M. Schmutzer. In 1851 his father, who had initially opposed his son's desire to embark on the life of a professional musician, relented and allowed him to enter the Munich Conservatorium. Not long after graduating, he became professor of piano and of composition at the same institution. When this first version of the Munich Conservatorium was dissolved, he was appointed repetiteur at the Court Theatre, from which he resigned in 1867. In 1877 he was appointed court conductor, responsible for the music in the royal chapel. He was subsequently awarded an honorary doctorate by Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. When the second (and present) Munich Conservatorium was founded, he was appointed Royal Professor of organ and composition, a post he held for the rest of his life. A prolific composer, his religious works include twelve Masses (one for double chorus, three for four voices a cappella, three for women's voices and organ, two for men's voices and one with orchestra), a Requiem and a Stabat Mater. His other works include several operas, symphonies, chamber music, and choral works. In 1894 his health started to decline and he was forced to give up the post of Court Music Director. He died at the age of 62. Originally interred in the Alter Südfriedhof, his grave was destroyed during World War II, and in 1950 his remains were moved to his home town of Vaduz.
Bio by: William Bjornstad
Gravesite Details
Relocated to Vaduz, Liechtenstein in 1950.
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