Johann Ritter von Herbeck

A self-taught musician who was known for his conducting skill, choral music and contributions to Vienna's musical vitality. Herbeck did learn composition from Rotter in Vienna where he spent his summers studying for a number of years. At the age of twenty one he began his musical career and served as choirmaster, director of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde from 1859 to 1870 and then agian when he succeeded Brahm's between 1875 and 1877, Franz Josef's Hofkapelle, vice-Kapellmeister, and Kapellmeister finally directing the Vienna Court Opera. Herbeck recognized the greatness of Schubert's "Unfinished Symphony" and arranged for its performance and he also conducted Wagner's "Rienzi" and "Der Meistersinger." Through his assistance, Bruckner was appointed as a professor of counterpoint at the Vienna Conservatory. ~ Keith Johnson