Ignaz von Mosel


Ignaz von Mosel was an Austrian court official, composer and music writer.

Life

Born in Vienna, Mosel entered the royal Bancal-Staatsbuchhaltung in 1797, later joining the Obersthofmeisteramt and finally the royal Hofrath. He became the first 'kustos' of the court library. In 1812 he was the first conductor in Vienna to use a baton, whilst conducting a memorial concert with. He conducted and organized the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde's music festivals from 1812 to 1816, including the Handel concerts at the Winterreitschule, which ultimately led to the foundation of the society and its choir, which developed into the Wiener Singverein.
On 18 July 1818 he was raised to the nobility and from 1820 he served as vice-director of the court theatre, though he had little influence on the Hofoper after Domenico Barbaja took it over. From 1821 he was vice-director of the Hofbibliothek and from 1829 its director. He also bore the title of 'hofrat' or court councilor.

Influence

An influential figure in the musical life of Vormärz-era Vienna, he was a friend of the Schubert Circle. He composed mainly vocal works and was mainly important as a scholarly music writer and reviewer. He also personally supported the Wiener Sängerknaben.
A street in Vienna's Favoriten district was named the 'Moselgasse' after him in 1974. A memorial plaque also stands on his family tomb in the Hietzing Cemetery.

Works

Musical compositions