Wenzel Johann Tomaschek (1774-1850) - Stich von Albert Henry Payne nach einer Zeichnung von E. T. Mayer, Prag, 1845

The successful Bohemian musician Václav Jan Krititel Tomásek was an autodidact composer. From 1820 on, he directed his own music school. Important musicians of the 19th century received their musical training there, for example Alexander Dreyschock (1818-1869) and Eduard Hanslick (1825-1904). Tomásek's compositions were geared to the style of the Vienna classics, especially to Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

In his autobiography, which was published during 1845 and 1850, the composer wrote about his encounter with Ludwig van Beethoven, and that he went to hear the premiere of Beethoven's first Piano Concerts op. 15 and op. 19 at the seminary hall in Prague in 1798. He also describes his various visits at Beethoven's house in Vienna in 1814.(S.B.)