Franz Krommer
A wildly popular Viennese composer in his day, his vibrant concertos provided a brilliant, accessible counterpoint to Beethoven's storms.
1759–1831 (age 72)·Czech composer of classical music and violinist·Birthday: November 27
Biography
In the shadow of Beethoven's titanic presence in early 19th-century Vienna, Franz Krommer carved out a spectacularly successful career by mastering what the public loved. A Moravian violinist who worked his way through aristocratic courts, he landed in the imperial capital where his talent for melody and structure found a rapt audience. While Beethoven wrestled with profound forms, Krommer delivered polished, energetic, and immediately appealing works. He was a particular master of wind writing, his clarinet concertos becoming benchmarks of the repertoire, celebrated for their singing lines and technical flair. Appointed to the prestigious post of Court Composer, his music was played everywhere—in palaces, salons, and military bandstands. His style, rooted in the clarity of Mozart and Haydn but infused with a new Romantic spirit, defined the sound of Viennese entertainment. For decades, his name on a program guaranteed delight, a testament to his unerring craft and understanding of the musical moment.
#1 When Franz Was Born
The biggest hits of 1759
Franz's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1759Born
1764Started school
1772Became a teenager
1775Could drive
1777Could vote
1780Turned 21
1789Turned 30
1799Turned 40
1809Turned 50
1819Turned 60
1829Turned 70
1831Died at 72
Key Achievements
- Served as the last Kapellmeister to the Austrian Emperor, holding the title of Court Composer from 1818.
- Composed over 300 works, including highly influential concertos for clarinet and for the unusual combination of two clarinets.
- His music, particularly his symphonies and chamber works, enjoyed immense popularity across Europe during his lifetime.
- Was a respected violinist and served as the music director for the Duke of Styria's court.
Did You Know?
He sometimes anglicized his first name to 'Francis' and his Czech surname, 'Kramář,' to the more German 'Krommer' for his career.
He was a fierce rival of the composer Antonio Salieri, competing for positions and prestige in Vienna.
Several of his works were mistakenly attributed to Joseph Haydn due to their popularity and style.
He wrote a significant amount of music for military band, reflecting the era's political climate.
“My concertos are for the pleasure of the ear, not a struggle for the soul.”
