Justin Heinrich Knecht (1752-1817) - Stich von Johann Michael Schramm, vielleicht nach einer eigenen Zeichnung

The Swabian musician Justin Heinrich Knecht had lived in Biberach working as organist and conductor. From 1807 until 1809, he worked as court bandmaster in Stuttgart. Apart from his practical musical work, Knecht also worked as a composer. Among other works, he composed a Symphony, which he entitled "A Musical Portrait of Nature". This composition with its programme was to become one of the important preludes to Ludwig van Beethoven' s "Pastoral-Symphony" op. 68.

Knecht also became well-known as author of music theories. Among other works, he published an "Elementary Work of Harmony and Basso Continuo of Benefit to the Public" and a "Theoretical-Practical Basso Continuo Tutor". The "Complete Organ Tutor", written by Knecht from 1795 to 1798, above all became important for Beethoven's musical studies. A copy of that work had still been in Beethoven's possession in 1827. The price that had been paid for the copy at the auction of Beethoven's abatement tells how much this publication had still been appreciated even a quarter of a century after its publication. The cost was almost four times more than the original estimated value. Knecht's organ tutor consists of a theoretical part as well as numerous pieces for organ of different kinds. Among them are also a concerto for flute and one for oboe. The composer wanted to show with this works, that an organ is able to imitate or even replace a whole orchestra.(S.B.)