Anton Wranitzky was a Czech violinist and composer who was active in Vienna between the Classical and Romantic periods. He was also a respected educator and published his own pedagogical work, the Violin Fondament. He was born in 1761 in Nová Říše, a town in the Czech Republic near the Austrian border, and his parents were innkeepers. He received his first musical instruction from his older brother Paul, who gave him violin lessons, and he attended the grammar school at a nearby monastery where he received additional music lessons. Later, he enrolled at a Jesuit seminary in Brno where he studied law, philosophy, and music from 1778 to 1782. After he graduated, he moved to Vienna and supported himself by giving violin lessons, and he served as the choirmaster at the chapel of the Theresianum. His brother Paul introduced him to the top musicians and patrons of Vienna, which included Beethoven, Mozart, and Haydn, and they formed lasting friendships. Wranitzky also studied composition with Mozart, Haydn, and Johann Georg Albrechtsberger, who was the Kapellmeister at St. Stephen's Cathedral and one of Beethoven's former teachers. In 1790, Wranitzky became employed by Prince J. F. Maximilian Lobkowitz and was responsible for many roles. He was the court composer, music tutor, concertmaster, and, beginning in 1797, he also served as the conductor for the prince's private orchestra. Through this position, he became a very influential fixture in the Viennese musical community. His compositions from this time include several chamber works, the Aphrodite Symphony, and Symphony in D Major, which all contain elements of both the Classical and Romantic styles. Additionally, he earned the reputation as a respected educator. He wrote and published an instructional violin method book in 1804 and used it with his students, which included greats such as Joseph Mayseder, Vaclav Pichl, and Ignaz Schuppanzigh. In 1814, Wranitzky was appointed director of the Theater an der Wien, where he served until the death of Prince Lobkowitz in 1816. This led to his retirement with a pension, and he spent the final years of his life performing in theaters in Vienna. All four of his children went on to be prominent musicians in Vienna, and he was able to proudly witness the beginnings of their careers. He passed away in 1820 in Vienna. ~ RJ Lambert, Rovi