Joseph Gelinek [Josef Jelínek] (1758 – 1825) was a
Czech-born composer and pianist, living in Vienna for
most of his career. He was born near Beroun, in the
present-day Czech Republic. He attended a Jesuit school
in Příbram, and studied organ and composition
with Josef Seger and was known particularly for
composing piano variations. He was ordained as a priest
in 1786.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart met Gelinek while in Prague for
a performance of his opera Don Giovanni (first
perform...(+)
Joseph Gelinek [Josef Jelínek] (1758 – 1825) was a
Czech-born composer and pianist, living in Vienna for
most of his career. He was born near Beroun, in the
present-day Czech Republic. He attended a Jesuit school
in Příbram, and studied organ and composition
with Josef Seger and was known particularly for
composing piano variations. He was ordained as a priest
in 1786.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart met Gelinek while in Prague for
a performance of his opera Don Giovanni (first
performed there in 1787); through his recommendation,
Gelinek was appointed chaplain and keyboard teacher at
the court of Count Kinsky. After about two years,
Gelinek accompanied the Count's family to Vienna, where
he was in the service of Prince Joseph Kinsky. He
stayed there for 13 years.
In Vienna he studied counterpoint with Johann
Albrechtsberger. He was known as a piano virtuoso and
was in great demand in Vienna as a piano teacher.
Mozart valued his piano improvisations.
He first met Ludwig van Beethoven at an evening
reception in which he was asked to compete with the
piano playing of Beethoven. Gelinek afterwards said, "I
have never heard anyone play like that! He improvised
on a theme which I gave him as I never heard even
Mozart improvise.... He can overcome difficulties and
draw effects from the piano such as we couldn't even
allow ourselves to dream about."
Gelinek composed a great deal, mostly for the piano,
and was particularly known for his piano variations. He
was most popular from about 1800 to 1810.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Gelinek).
Although originally written for Piano, I created this
Interpretation of the Allemande in B Minor (Transposed
to C Minor) for Classical Guitar.