Johann Baptist Cramer (1771-1858) - Stich von Edward Scriven nach einem Gemälde von Isaac Pocock, London, 1819

Johann Baptist Cramer, born in Mannheim as the son of Wilhelm Cramer, a successful violinist and bandmaster, spent his childhood and adolescence in London. Having completed his studies in music - one of his teachers was Muzio Clementi - the young musician went on concert journeys and became internationally known as a pianist and composer despite his young age of only 20 years. In 1799 he visited Vienna where he stayed until 1800. During his stay, he met Beethoven who very much appreciated the young virtuoso"s etudes. Beethoven even adopted stylistic characteristics from Cramer"s music and applied them to his own works. Johann Baptist Cramer was also a successful music publisher and composer. His "Große Pianoforteschule" (Instructions for the piano forte) from 1815 is still used today. (S.B.)