3rd February – Johann Georg Albrechtsberger

The little known Albrechtsberger may not be a household name today, but in his own time he was a renowned music theorist who tutored some of the great names in music history, such as Beethoven and Hummel, and who wrote extensively on the subject of music theory.

Most of Albrechtsberger’s compositions were never published (or perhaps even performed), but one which did become a success was his concerto for Alto Trombone and Orchestra in Bb Major. Since there are not so many important works specifically for trombone, this concerto has remained popular over the centuries. In fact only 27 of his 261 compositions were ever published, although the manuscripts are still preserved.

Albrechtsberger was a specialist in the field of harmony and counterpoint – the music theory which specifies how chords should be combined and  how several independent musical voices can be woven together to produce a beautiful, coherent whole. The music theory which today’s ABRSM music students of grade five and above have to get to grips with dates from this era. He learnt his craft while studying at the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, Austria, where he had an impressive library of musical literature at his disposal.

Here is the first movement of Albrechtsberger’s trombone concerto:

Listen to more works by Albrechtsberger – click the box!