Sigismund Neukomm

Neukomm is understood as a transition figure between the Classical and Romantic periods of music. He was familiar with and an ardent admirer of the music of Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang A. Mozart. He learned from Haydn and taught the young Mozart. Well established as an organist Neukomm studied with Michael Haydn with whom he was related through his mother's family. Throughout his musical life, Neukomm traveled extensively though Paris became his first home and England his second. A plethora of vocal compositions poured forth from his pen including operas, cantatas, oratorios, choruses, quartets, et cetera, and instrumental works including over one hundred works for the harmonium. Because of his talent he was also afforded the opportunity to rearrange a number of Michael Haydn's works. Neukomm's compositions and skills were so well received that they took him to Vienna, St. Petersburg, Paris, Rio de Janeiro, Genoa, Florence, Rome, Naples, Bologna, Milan, Switzerland, and throughout France, Germany, England, and Austria. While in South America Neukomm was intent on spreading the music of Mozart and Haydn. He was made a Chevalier of the Legion d'honneur, taught in the court of John VI of Portugal, was under the patronage of Tallyrand and the Duke of Orleans, spoke at the unveiling of the Mozart monument in Salzburg where he conducted Mozart's coronation Mass and Requiem, and was buried in Monmarte cemetery. Neukomm's early songs were influenced by and reflective of the Classical period but his later works extol the Romantic age. ~ Keith Johnson, All Music Guide