Johann Friedrich Rochlitz (1769/1770-1842) - Stich von Amadeus Wenzel Böhm nach einem Gemälde von Veit Hans Friedrich Schnorr von Carolsfeld

Johann Friedrich Rochlitz was a musically gifted writer who published the newspaper "Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung” (general musical newspaper) in Leipzig from 1798 until 1818. He later continued writing articles for this important musical newspaper. In his life time Rochlitz was very known and appreciated for his musical knowledge. Among others, poet Goethe also liked Rochlitz, even not as much as Karl Friedrich Zelter.

Rochlitz was strongly interested in Beethoven's music and showed quite some understanding of his compositions. He repeatedly proved this in his publications.

In the beginning Rochlitz and Beethoven maintained a correspondence by letters. In the spring of 1822 he finally travelled to Vienna. The writer later claimed to have met Beethoven during his stay. After the composer's death, Rochlitz wrote in his book "Für ruhige Stunden" (for quiet hours), published in 1828, about the meeting with Beethoven. His very detailed descriptions were often quoted in literature. However, most of them are probably not true. It even remains doubtful whether Rochlitz knew Beethoven in person.(S.B.)