Anton Kraft was a Czech cellist and composer of the late Classical era. He was one of the greatest cellists of his time, and both Haydn and Beethoven dedicated works to him. Kraft was born in the Czech town of Rokycany in 1749. He first received musical instruction from his father, who was an amateur musician and beer brewer. Kraft later became a student of Joseph Werner at the Prague Conservatory, and he also studied philosophy and law nearby at Charles University. Although he did not complete his education at either school, he was appointed cellist for the imperial hofkapelle in Vienna. After hearing Kraft perform in Vienna in 1778, Joseph Haydn invited him to join the court orchestra of the Esterháza palace in Hungary, where Haydn was the kapellmeister. Kraft accepted the appointment, and he also began studying composition with Haydn. That same year, Kraft and his wife, Maria Anna Schevitzka, had a son, Nikolaus, who also became one of the great cellists of the time. In addition to his responsibilities with the court orchestra, Kraft embarked on frequent tours to other European cities. After Prince Nikolaus Esterházy died in 1790, the court orchestra was dismissed by his successor. This led Kraft and his family to Vienna, where he and his son were employed by Prince Anton Grassalkovich of Gyarak until 1794, when they joined the court of Prince Joseph Lobkowitz. Kraft also performed recitals with his son and was a founding member of the Schuppanzigh String Quartet. He was a favorite performer in Vienna and was admired for his rich timbre, expressive musicality, and seemingly effortless technique. He continued performing and touring with his son through the early 1800s. In 1808, he performed the premiere of Beethoven's Triple Concerto, Op. 56, which was dedicated to Kraft. One year later, he left the Schuppanzigh String Quartet, and his son Nikolaus took his place. Kraft remained in the service of Prince Lobkowitz until his death in 1820, which was just months after he began teaching cello at the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde. ~ RJ Lambert, Rovi