Franz Xaver Süssmayr

Sussmayer received early musical training from his father. He also received instruction in composition from Maximilian Piessinger, Pasterwitz and perhaps Schwaigert. He joined in the musical performances of the monastery at Kremsmunster where he boarded. Sussmayer sang alto and played the organ and later sang tenor and played both the violin and the organ. When he traveled to Vienna in 1788 as a teacher he was able to study with Mozart who also employed him as a collaborator. After Mozart's death, Sussmayer continued his studies with Salieri. By 1792 Sussmayer was the Kapellmeister of National Theater in Vienna and well-noted for his operatic compositions including "Der Spiegel von Arkadien," and "Il noce di Benevento." Sussmayer is most famous for completing Mozart's "Requiem" though the parts which he finished were disputed by Constanze. ~ Keith Johnson