Biography


Benedict Randhartinger (1802 - 1893)

Randhartinger was born on 27 July 1802 in Ruprechtshofen (Lower Austria) as the son of the village teacher. He gets lessons in playing the violin and the piano and also in singing. In 1812 he joins the famous Viennese "Stadtkonvikt" where he meets Franz Schubert. Antonio Salieri recognises his great talent gives him lessons in composition on his own behalf. After studying philosophy and lawat the University he becomes private secretary to count L. S. at the Emperor's Court in Vienna.
Randhartinger, whose compositions have been published since 1822, fevotes himself completely to music in 1832. He becomes tenor at the "Hofmusikkapelle", from which he retires in 1866 as "Hofkapellmeister" at Emperor Franz Joseph and his wife Elisabeth. He was married with three children. His son-in-law was the famous piano manufacturer Friedrich Ehrbar. Randhartinger dies on 23 December 1893 in Vienna. The "Randhartingergasse", a lane in the 10th Viennese district, is called after him.

Apart from Franz Schubert Randhartinger was one of the most popular composers of his time. He wrote more than 2.000 works, some of which have not been edited yet. His music fascinates with marked melodies, surprising musical ideas and skillful instrumentation.

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