A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Aiblinger, Johann

AIBLINGER, Johann Caspar, born at Wasserburg in Bavaria, Feb. 23, 1779. His compositions are much esteemed, and performed in the Catholic churches of South Germany. In 1803 he went to Italy, and studied eight years at Vicenza, after which he settled at Venice, where in conjunction with the Abbe Gregorio Trentino he founded the 'Odeon' Institution for the practice of classical works. In 1826 he was recalled to his native country by the king, and appointed kapellmeister of his court music. In 1833 however he returned to Italy, and resided at Bergamo, occupying himself in the collection of ancient classical music, which is now in the Staatsbibliothek at Munich. His whole efforts to the end of his life were directed to the performance of classical vocal music in the All Saints' church at Munich, erected in 1826. His single attempt at dramatic composition was an opera of 'Rodrigo a Chimene,' which was not successful. The bravura airs for Mme. Schechner and for Pellegrini were much liked, but the piece shewed no depth of invention. In church music however he was remarkably happy: his compositions in this department are in the free style of his time, written with great skill, and full of religious feeling, tuneful, agreeable, and easy melody, and exactly suited to small church choirs. They consist of masses, some requiems, graduals, litanies, and psalms, with accompaniments for orchestra and organ, published at Munich, Augsburg, and Paris (Schott). Aiblinger died May 6, 1867.

[ C. F. P. ]