Master of musical theory, and teacher of Hummel and Beethoven,
b. at Klosterneuburg in Lower Austria, 3 February, 1736; d. in
Vienna, 7 March 1809. He began his musical career as a choir-boy
at the early age of seven. The pastor of St. Martin's,
Klosterneuburg, observing the boy's talent and his remarkable
industry, and being himself an excellent musician, gave him the
first lessons in thoroughbass, and even had a little organ built
for him. Young Albrechtsberger's ambition was so great that he
did not even rest on Sundays and holidays. To complete his
scientific and musical studies he repaired to the Benedictine
Abbey at Melk. Here his beautiful soprano voice attracted the
attention of the future Emperor Leopold, who on one occasion
expressed his high appreciation and presented the boy with a
ducat. The library at Melk gave him the opportunity to study the
works of Caldara Fux, Pergolese, Handel, Graun etc. The result
was the profound knowledge of music which gave him a high rank
among theorists. Having comp