Herbeck, Johann Franz von

1831-1877

Herbeck belongs to the school of modern instrumental musicians. To his great ambition and untiring labor Herbeck largely owes his fame. Son of a poor tailor, with but a few months' tuition in composition under Rotter at Vienna, he was practically a self-educated man. In 1852 he was choirmaster to the Piarists in the Josephstadt; in 1856 to the first Mannergesangverein; in 1858 a professor at the Conservatory and master of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde; in 1859 professional conductor of the Gesellschaft concerts; in 1866 chief Court musician; in 1871 director of the Court Opera; and in 1875 he again became director of the Gesellschaft concerts. Of his compositions, his part-songs were most successful, being simple and effective. Among them, In the Forest; Folk-songs; and May Time have become well known. His published works include songs for single voice, part-songs for men's voices, and choruses; symphony in D minor for full orchestra; and string quartet in F. He wrote a grand mass in E, and a Te Deum, but they were never published. Herbeck possessed the order of Third Division of the Iron Crown, which raised him to knighthood. A memorial was erected to him at Portschach.

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