Zwetler [Zwettler], Theodor
[Johann Nepomuk Felix
]
- Karl Pfannhauser
Extract
[Johann Nepomuk Felix ]
(b Weitra, Lower Austria, bap. June 5, 1759; d Vienna, Aug 30, 1826). Austrian composer . He was a choirboy at the Schottenkloster in Vienna, studied humanities at Krems an der Donau and completed a philosophy course in Vienna. In 1778 he entered the Schottenkloster and in 1783 became a Benedictine priest; he was a priest (1786–1802) at the Laurenzkirche in the parish of Schottenfeld, Vienna, and parish administrator (1802–7) at the Ägydkirche in the Viennese suburb of Gumpendorf, where Haydn was also living. From 18 July 1807 until his death Zwetler was a prior and parish administrator at the Schottenkloster. He did much to improve its music, particularly during the period of peace (1815–48) that followed the Vienna Congress. Under him J.L. Eybler was the choir director, followed in 1824 by Ignaz Assmayr (1790–1862), and Franz Volkert (1778–1845) was the organist. During his administration the abbey’s archive and repertory were enriched by many works of the Classical masters, and Joseph Frühwald (...
