Johannn Baptist Schenk (1753-1836) - Fotografie eines anonymem Ölgemäldes aus dem ersten Viertel des 19. Jahrhunderts

In his lifetime Johann Baptist Schenk, quite a recognised composer and music theoretician in Vienna was known for his traditional forms of composition. His musical comedies, among them the "Dorfbarbier" from 1796, were especially successful in the last decade of the 18th century.

In his autobiography from 1830 Schenk claims to have met Ludwig van Beethoven shortly after Beethoven had moved to Vienna. Furthermore, Schenk says he was enthusiasted about the young pianist's art of improvisation and encouraged him to study the theory of counterpoint. Since Beethoven's skills in this area were poor, Schenk allegedly taught him the art of composition for a while. The lessons were held clandestinely as Beethoven was still a student of Haydn's at that time.

Even though Schenk's description is very concrete and gives many details, his observations contain a number of mistakes. Therefore, the fact whether he really served as Beethoven's teacher remains doubtful as well as his remark of a lifelong frienship between the two composers.(S.B.)