WEBER, BEDŘICH (1766-1842)

Bedřich Diviš Weber (born 9 October, 1766, Velichov, near Karlovy Vary and died 25 December, 1842, Prague) also known by the German form of his name, Friedrich Dionys (or Dionysius) Weber, was a Bohemian composer and musicologist primarily remembered as the first Director of the Prague Conservatory, in whose foundation he played a leading role. Weber studied philosophy and law in Prague before turning his attention definitively to music, studying under Abbe Vogler. He became an advocate for the music of Mozart after meeting him in Prague, and his compositions bear evidence of this influence, being firmly rooted in that stylistic period. He was antagonistic towards the work of Beethoven and Carl Maria von Weber (no relation), although an enthusiast for the work of Richard Wagner. In 1832 he conducted the first performance of Wagner's Symphony in C major, a student performance at the Prague Conservatory.

 

The most important work that Bedřich Weber did as a musician was his works as a teacher. He was a primary mover in the establishment of the Prague Conservatory and in 1811 became its first director. Weber was also the director of the Prague Organ School and he wrote a number of important textbooks for theory. During his active career he met Mozart in Prague and the Abbe Vogler with whom he studied. He became the Mozart representative and advocate in Prague and, perhaps because of his enthrallment with Mozart his own compositions never left the eighteenth century. He did compose an extensive cantata, Bohmens Erretung, for which Weber is best known. The music he set and arranged does at least make an attempt to explore new instruments, something for which Weber had a proclivity. He was unfortunately an antagonistic to the music of Beethoven and Carl Maria von Weber. However, he also showed great enthusiasm for the work of Wagner.