A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Gebauer, Franz

GEBAUER, Franz Xaver, born in 1784 at Eckersdorf, Glatz, Prussian Silesia, received his early musical education from his father, the village schoolmaster. In 1804 he became organist at Frankenstein; and in 1810 went to Vienna, where he soon became known for his extraordinary execution on the Jews-harp, and lived by giving excellent pianoforte lessons, and playing the cello. In 1816 he was appointed Chordirector of the church of St. Augustin, and there, thanks to his indefatigable efforts, the larger works of the great masters were satisfactorily performed. He was also one of the earliest and most active members of the 'Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde,' founded in 1813. In 1819, through his endeavours, were started the Spirituel-Concerte which continued in existence until 1848, and into the programmes of which none but sterling works were admitted. [See Spirituel Concerte [App. p.646 "omit this reference"].] Gebauer was the first conductor, but did not long enjoy the fruit of his labours. In Oct. 1822 he returned from a journey to Switzerland seriously ill, and died in Vienna on the 13th Dec., sincerely regretted as a sterling musician and an upright man. He published a few Lieder, and left a small number of choral compositions in MS. He was intimate with Beethoven, who in a note preserved by Seyfried ('Beethovens Studien,' Anh. 36, and Nohl's Briefe, No. 234), puns upon his name in his favourite style, calling him 'Geh' Bauer' and 'der Bauer.'

[ C. F. P. ]