Johann kasper mertz biography of martin

A Hungarian virtuoso

The Hungarian guitarist, Johann Kaspar Mertz, was the most lyrical guitar composer who worked in the 19th century. He was born in Pressburg (present Bratislava, Slovakia) on August 17, Married to a pianist Josephine (née Plantin), they resided in Vienna, Austria which had a history of providing a home for prominant international guitar players, Mauro Giuliani, Luigi Legnaniand Anton Diabelliincluded.

Johann kasper mertz biography of martin Selected compositions [ edit ]. Johann Kaspar Mertz. His editors forced him to write in simpler style for a wider public, which was against his will and later he refused the publication of his works. Though the date of his birth indicates that that was the logical influence, since Sor was born in , Aguado in and Giuliani in while Mertz in , a difference of about 25 years.

A guitar peformer of the highest order he had attracted a loyal following in the city. Berlin (Kingdom of Prussia) and Dresden (Kingdom of Saxony) were points of call for the concert player, and he also toured Moravia (province of Austro-Hungarian empire), Poland and Russia. Suffering from neuralgia (pain caused by abnormalities in the neurological system), an overdose of of a prescribed medication strychnine (also a poison) almost saw the end of the musician.

His wife nursed him back to health over the following year.

Johann kasper mertz biography of martin walker The name "Johann Kaspar" first appeared in the German guitar journal "Der Guitarrefreund" in and since that time has been incorrectly repeated. Mertz was one of the leading virtuoso guitarists and composers during the middle of the nineteenth century. In Brussels, Belgium, in , Johann Kaspar Mertz won first composition prize in a local guitar competition. Apart from his own original music he also arranged music of other composers and popular folksy or folkloric motifs.

He was finally able to resume his work, but the Hungarian revolution of March had forced the public along with many of his pupils to flee, leaving Mertz without an adequate income. Circumstances improved though and by Mertz found himself in partnership with his wife, performing for the Imperial Family in Salzburg.

In Brussels, Belgium, in , Johann Kaspar Mertz won first composition prize in a local guitar competition.

Napoleon Coste had also entered with his Great Serenade opus 30 but it was Mertz's Concertino per Chitarra sola which was victorious.

Johann kasper mertz biography of martin luther Interestingly these pieces were inspired by a man who did not exist! The name "Johann Kaspar" first appeared in the German guitar journal "Der Guitarrefreund" in and since that time has been incorrectly repeated. Bibliography [ edit ]. There was no attribution for the source, but in Schwarz-Reiflingen's commentary he mentions the duo 'Fantasie aus der oper "Elisier d'amour' came as a previously unpublished manuscript from Edward Bayer, Jr.

He died soon after entering and did not even hear of his success before his passing.

Johann Kaspar Mertz's Elegie
performed by
Giuseppe Chiaramonte



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Inspired by Romantic
piano styles

There are clear references to the current Romantic piano styles which Mertz was exposed to through his wife's piano work.

His guitar styles are more similar to the pianistic forms of Chopin, Mendelssohn, Shubert and Schumann than earlier guitar forms employed by Fernando Sor, Dionisio Aguado(classical – Hadyn Mozart) and Mauro Giuliani(bel canto - Rossini).


Johann Kasper Mertz's most prominent work is a collection of small pieces called the Bardenklänge (English : Bardic sounds), which are stylistically similar to the piano works of Robert Schumann.

Interestingly these pieces were inspired by a man who did not exist!

Johann kasper mertz biography of martin lewis Taken literally, this report provides evidence that Mertz at this time preferred the use of nails, a topic that was debated among guitarists throughout the nineteenth century. He appeared regularly at concerts, the so-called "Academies", organized by this society , - , and became its archivist. The earliest record of his activity as a concert artist is from when Mertz performed in a Pressburg concert organized by Johann Nepomuk Hummel, himself a native of that city. Mertz embarked on a concert tour in , performing in Austria, Poland, and Russia.

Falaciously they were ascribed to a 3rd century bard called Ossian Gaelic, but in reality the work was written in the 's by the Scotsman James MacPherson. Even so, the poetry inspired many a Romantic European poet or musician.

Johann Kaspar Mertz's
Am Grabe der Geliebten
performed by
Duo Orfeo




Other Romantic guitar composers :

Johann Kaspar Mertz Sheet music and Mp3

Great Serenade opus 30 by Napoleon Coste performed by Wolfgang Lendle (1st part) Great Serenade opus 30 (2nd part)

Concertino per chitarra solo by Johann Kaspar Mertz performed by Ekachai Jearakul