Kreusser, Georg Anton

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Kreusser, Georg Anton

Kreusser, Georg Anton, German composer; b. Heidingsfeld, near Würzburg, Oct. 27, 1746; d. Aschaffenburg, Nov. 1, 1810. After training in Heidingsfeld, he went to Amsterdam to study with his brother Adam Kreusser (b. Heidingsfeld [baptized], Nov. 28, 1732; d. Amsterdam, 1792), the concertmaster of the theater orch. there from 1752. He subsequently completed his training in Italy and France (1770–71). In 1773 he became deputy Konzertmeister and in 1774 Konzertmeister at the Mainz electoral chapel, where he was held in great esteem. He distinguished himself as a composer of both instrumental and vocal works, winning the admiration of Haydn. His best known work is the oratorio Der Tod Jesu (1783), but he also wrote many syms., a large output of chamber music, and several masses.

Bibliography

E. Peters, G.A. K.: Ein Mainzer Instrumentalkomponist der Klassik (Munich and Salzburg, 1975).—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire