Franz Adam Veichtner

Franz Adam Veichtner (baptised 10 February 1741 – 3 March 1822) was a German violinist and composer of the classical era.

Veichtner was born in Regensburg, where his father, Johann Georg worked as a violin maker. In his youth he studied at the Jesuit school in his home town and later with the violinist, composer and theorist Joseph Riepel. Support from a generous benefactor enabled him to study violin with Franz Benda in Potsdam where he performed and made acquaintances with Carl Friedrich Fasch and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach.

In 1763, Veichner entered into the service of Count Herman Karl von Keyserling in Königsberg and Saint Petersburg. In Königsberg, Veichtner taught the young Johann Friedrich Reichardt, who he called a "true artistic genius" who was despised by "all the external pomp". To show his gratitude, Reichardt dedicated a violin concerto to his teacher in 1772. In 1765 Veichtner became Konzertmeister and Kapellmeister at the court of Peter von Biron in Mitau, Courland. He was joined in the orchestra by his brother Michael who was employed first as a violinist, and later as a "contra violinist". During his time in Mitau, Veichtner taught music and composed prolifically for the court. He is known to have composed numerous Singspiele, occaisional works, Tafelmusik and around sixty symphonies during this period, however very little of this music seems to have survived. Veichtner also married twice while resident in Mitau; first to Catharina Maria Göttsch on th 26 January, 1768, and again to Rosanna Göttsch in 1771. In 1785, he undertook a trip with the court to Italy, giving successful concerts in Milan and other cities.

In 1795, Veichtner left Mitau, when the Duchy of Courland was annexed by Russia, and traveled for a second time to Italy. In 1798, he found employment in Saint Petersburg where he worked as a chamber musician at the imperial court, and concert master of the opera orchestra. He remained in Saint Petersburg until his retirement in 1820. He returned to Mitau where he spent the final two years of his life with his eldest son, Karl Ludwig, and his family in the Forstei Kliewenhof (now the parish in Kalnciems).

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