1769. J.F. Rochlitz (Leipzig), 1769-1842. Literary musician, who edited the Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung during the period when Beethoven’s works began to appear. His discriminating and sympathetic notices were among the first to call world-wide attention to these works, and are indeed of much historic importance.
1769. Martin Marin (Bayonne), born 1769. Celebrated harpist, for which instrument he composed (and such works are rare) quintetts with strings and other chamber music, which M. Fétis says are “truly classical.”
1770. Anton Reicha (Prague), 1770-1836. Theorist and composer. Friend and associate of Albrechtsberger, Haydn, and Beethoven. He wrote many chamber music works.
1770. Beethoven (Bonn), 1770-1827.
1771. P.M. Baillot (Paris), 1771-1842. Celebrated violinist and teacher, who also wrote some chamber music.
1771. J.B. Cramer (Mannheim), 1771-1858. Pianist, composer, and teacher.
1772. Joseph Wolff (Salzburg), 1772-1812. Pianist and composer, who studied under Michael Haydn. In extemporisation on the piano he was popularly considered superior to Beethoven. He published many chamber music works, but his career was not successful. He died in London forgotten, and, it is said, almost destitute.
1772. Prince Louis Ferdinand of Prussia (Friedrichsfelde), 1772-1806. Distinguished amateur musician and composer of interesting chamber music.
1776. Ignaz Schuppanzigh (Vienna), 1776-1830. He, as leader, with Mayseder, Weiss, and Lincke, constituted the celebrated string quartett which first performed Beethoven’s works, under the composer’s own direction.
1778. J.N. Hummel (Pressburg), 1778-1837. Distinguished musician. Pupil of Mozart. Composer of chamber music, of which it may be said that while good, it was but superficial in feeling.