Krumpholtz, Jean-Baptiste (Johann Baptist or Jan Kïtitel)

Krumpholtz, Jean-Baptiste (Johann Baptist or Jan Kïtitel), famous Bohemian harpist and composer; b. Budenice, near Zlonice, May 3, 1742; d. (suicide) Paris, Feb. 19, 1790. He received his first instruction from his father, a bandmaster in the service of Count Kinsky, and later studied and gave concerts in Vienna (1773). He also studied composition with Haydn and was harp soloist in the service of Count Esterhazy. He made an extensive tour of Europe in 1776. During his stay in Metz, Anne-Marie (née Steckler) Krumpholtz became his pupil and then his second wife (c. 1778). However, she took a lover by 1788 and eloped to England. Krumpholtz, in despair, drowned himself in the Seine. Krumpholtz added to his fame as a harpist by inventing a harp with 2 pedals, loud and soft. He also stimulated Erard to make experiments that led to the invention of the modern pedal mechanism. He was a distinguished composer for the instrument as well, producing several concertos, many sonatas, and various other works. His brother, Wenzel (Vaclav) Krumpholtz (b. probably in Budenice, c. 1750; d. Vienna, May 2, 1817), was a violinist and composer; he was a member of Prince Esterhâzy’s orch. before joining the orch. of the Vienna Hofoper (1796). He is best remembered as a close friend of Beethoven, and as one of his early champions; upon his death, Beethoven wrote the Gesang der Mönche for 3 Men’s Voices after Schiller, Wo 0104. Krumpholtz himself wrote several violin pieces.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire