Joseph Gelinek

Full biography Joseph Gelinek

Joseph Gelinek (3 December 1758 – 13 April 1825) was a Czech-born musician , composer, and pianist who spent most of his career in Vienna. He was particularly known for his reflex adaptations of music by composers such as Mozart and Beethoven, as well as for his own original compositions. Gelinek was also a piano teacher to several noble families in Vienna, including the family of Count Kinsky.

Gelinek composed in a variety of genres, including sonatas, operas, mass music, and chamber music. His compositions reflected the musical tastes of his time, with a strong influence from the Vienna classicism style. In his adaptations of Mozart's music, Gelinek sought to capture the spirit of Mozart's works while adding his own unique touch.

Aside from his musical career, Gelinek is known for his friendship with the famous composer Ludwig van Beethoven. It is said that Beethoven visited Gelinek in Vienna in February 1807. They played together and Gelinek is believed to have provided Beethoven with inspiration for some of his works.

Gelinek died in Vienna in 1825 at the age of 66. Despite his success during his lifetime, his music did not achieve lasting popularity, and his name is now mostly forgotten. Nevertheless, his contributions to music in his time should not be overlooked, and his reflex adaptations of Mozart and Beethoven's works are still appreciated by some musicians today.