Johann kasper mertz biography of william

The Hungarian guitarist, Johann Kaspar Mertz, was the most lyrical guitar composer who worked in the 19th century. He was born in Pressburg (present Bratislava, Slovakia) on August 17, 1806.

Married to a pianist Josephine (née Plantin), they resided in Vienna, Austria which had a history of providing a home for prominant international guitar players, Mauro Giuliani, Luigi Legnani and Anton Diabelli included. A guitar peformer of the highest order he had attracted a loyal following in the city.

Berlin (Kingdom of Prussia) and Dresden (Kingdom of Saxony) were points of call for the concert player, and he also toured Moravia (province of Austro-Hungarian empire), Poland and Russia.

Johann kasper mertz biography of william

Suffering from neuralgia (pain caused by abnormalities in the neurological system), an overdose of of a prescribed medication strychnine (also a poison) almost saw the end of the musician. His wife nursed him back to health over the following year.

He was finally able to resume his work,