Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1810

Death

:

1867

Period

:

Romantic

Genre

:

Chamber

 

Georges Kastner was a French composer, musicologist, and music educator who lived from 1810 to 1867. He was born in Strasbourg, France, and showed an early interest in music. His father was a musician and music teacher, and Kastner began studying music with him at a young age. Kastner's musical education continued at the Strasbourg Conservatory, where he studied composition with Franz Anton Hoffmeister and piano with Ignaz Moscheles. He also studied musicology and music theory, and became interested in the history of music and the development of musical instruments. After completing his studies, Kastner worked as a music teacher and composer in Strasbourg. He wrote a number of works for piano, including sonatas, variations, and character pieces. He also wrote chamber music, including string quartets and piano trios. In addition to his work as a composer, Kastner was a prolific musicologist. He wrote several books on the history of music, including a history of the violin and a history of the piano. He also wrote a book on the history of music notation, which was an important contribution to the field of musicology. Kastner's interest in the history of music led him to become involved in the movement to revive early music. He was one of the founders of the Société des instruments anciens, an organization dedicated to the study and performance of early music. He also wrote several works for early instruments, including a collection of pieces for the viola da gamba. Kastner's most famous work is his Traité général d'instrumentation, which was first published in 1837. This book is a comprehensive guide to orchestration, and was one of the first works of its kind. It was widely used by composers and music educators, and is still considered an important reference work today. In addition to his work as a composer and musicologist, Kastner was also a respected music educator. He taught at the Paris Conservatory from 1848 until his death in 1867. He was known for his innovative teaching methods, and was highly regarded by his students. Kastner's legacy as a composer, musicologist, and music educator is significant. His Traité général d'instrumentation is still considered an important reference work, and his contributions to the study of early music and the history of music notation are still studied today. His music, while not as well-known as that of some of his contemporaries, is still performed and recorded, and his influence on the development of classical music cannot be overstated.

More....