Georg von Pasterwitz
Encyclopedia
Georg Robert von Pasterwitz (7 June 1730 – 26 January 1803) was an Austria
n composer and teacher. He was born in Bierhütten, near Passau
. First educated at Niederaltaich, he entered the Benedictine
monastery
in Kremsmünster
in 1749. He then enrolled at the University of Salzburg
, studying theology, law and mathematics. In was during this time that he met Johann Ernst Eberlin
, who became his music teacher. Pasterwitz completed his studies in 1759 and soon started teaching philosophy at the monastery's Ritterakademie
, eventually rising to teach courses in mathematics, physics, economics, and political science; since about 1755 he was also active as composer, producing stage works for the monastery almost every year.
Between 1767 to 1783 Pasterwitz served as the monastery's choir director. Due to reforms started by Joseph II
, he had to give up some of his duties and became instead the monastery's treasurer and eventually official representative, when it was threatened with dissolution in 1785. Pasterwitz died in Kremsmünster, where he served as dean of the Upper School until 1801. He died two years later. Pasterwitz's surviving oeuvre comprises some 500 works, mostly liturgical pieces and dramatic works for the church. He composed a large number of short contrapuntal
pieces for keyboard: 324 were published between 1790 and 1803, and were the only works published during the composer's lifetime. They show him as a competent master of both counterpoint and the keyboard. For the monastery, Pasterwitz regularly composed dramas and dozens of liturgical pieces: masses, offertories, vespers, etc.
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n composer and teacher. He was born in Bierhütten, near Passau
Passau
Passau is a town in Lower Bavaria, Germany. It is also known as the Dreiflüssestadt or "City of Three Rivers," because the Danube is joined at Passau by the Inn from the south and the Ilz from the north....
. First educated at Niederaltaich, he entered the Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
in Kremsmünster
Kremsmünster
Kremsmünster is a town in Kirchdorf an der Krems , in Upper Austria, Austria. Its population is 6,450, as of 2001. Settled in 777, it is home to the Kremsmünster Abbey....
in 1749. He then enrolled at the University of Salzburg
University of Salzburg
The University of Salzburg, or Paris Lodron University after its founder, the Prince Archbishop Paris Lodron, is located in the Austrian city of Salzburg, Salzburgerland, home of Mozart. It is divided into 4 faculties: catholic theology, law, humanities and natural science.Founded in 1622, it...
, studying theology, law and mathematics. In was during this time that he met Johann Ernst Eberlin
Johann Ernst Eberlin
Johann Ernst Eberlin was a German composer and organist whose works bridge the baroque and classical eras. He was a prolific composer, chiefly of church organ and choral music...
, who became his music teacher. Pasterwitz completed his studies in 1759 and soon started teaching philosophy at the monastery's Ritterakademie
Knight academy
Knight academies were developed by the German aristocracy in the late seventeenth century to facilitate the ascent of Prussia as a European power. They prepared aristocratic youth for state and military service. It added to the hitherto rudimentary education of the German aristocracy natural...
, eventually rising to teach courses in mathematics, physics, economics, and political science; since about 1755 he was also active as composer, producing stage works for the monastery almost every year.
Between 1767 to 1783 Pasterwitz served as the monastery's choir director. Due to reforms started by Joseph II
Joseph II, Holy Roman Emperor
Joseph II was Holy Roman Emperor from 1765 to 1790 and ruler of the Habsburg lands from 1780 to 1790. He was the eldest son of Empress Maria Theresa and her husband, Francis I...
, he had to give up some of his duties and became instead the monastery's treasurer and eventually official representative, when it was threatened with dissolution in 1785. Pasterwitz died in Kremsmünster, where he served as dean of the Upper School until 1801. He died two years later. Pasterwitz's surviving oeuvre comprises some 500 works, mostly liturgical pieces and dramatic works for the church. He composed a large number of short contrapuntal
Counterpoint
In music, counterpoint is the relationship between two or more voices that are independent in contour and rhythm and are harmonically interdependent . It has been most commonly identified in classical music, developing strongly during the Renaissance and in much of the common practice period,...
pieces for keyboard: 324 were published between 1790 and 1803, and were the only works published during the composer's lifetime. They show him as a competent master of both counterpoint and the keyboard. For the monastery, Pasterwitz regularly composed dramas and dozens of liturgical pieces: masses, offertories, vespers, etc.
Stage
- Mardochäus (drama), 1751
- Abul Granatae rex (comedy), 1755
- Jephtias (drama), 1758
- Joas (drama), 1759
- Athamas (Singspiel), 1774
- Samson (Singspiel), 1775
- Il Giuseppe riconosciuto, 1777
- Der wahre Vater, 1782
- other dramatic works
Sacred vocal
- Requiem (previously attributed to Michael HaydnMichael HaydnJohann Michael Haydn was an Austrian composer of the classical period, the younger brother of Joseph Haydn.-Life:...
) - Terra tremuit for choir and orchestra
- 14 masses, 83 graduals, 85 offertories, 11 vespers, 38 Magnificats, 40 Marian antiphons, 4 litanies, 4 Te Deums, 16 Advent arias, 24 Passion arias
Instrumental
- [24] Fughe, for organ or harpsichord, opp. 1–3 (Vienna, 1790–92)
- 300 Themata und Versetten, for organ or piano, op. 4 (Vienna, 1803)
- 22 orchestral minuets
- Variations for harpsichord