Anselm Hüttenbrenner

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Anselm Hüttenbrenner (13 October 1794 - 5 June 1868) was an Austrian composer. He was on friendly terms with both Beethoven, whom he visited on his death-bed, and Schubert, his recollections of whom — recorded for Franz Liszt in 1854 (and eventually published in 1906) — constitute an interesting but probably unreliable document in Schubert biographical studies.

Hüttenbrenner was born in Graz, the son of a wealthy landowner. He attended the Graz Lyzeum, and studied law at the University of Graz, but was also composing music at this time. Count Moritz von Fries was impressed with his ability as a pianist, and following the Count's advice, Hüttenbrenner left in April 1815 for Vienna to study under Antonio Salieri. His first published works for piano and songs began to appear shortly afterwards, and the String Quartet (Op. 3) came out in 1816. He briefly returned to Graz in 1818, but was back in Vienna the following year, earning a living in a government office.

In 1821 Hüttenbrenner inherited the family estate and married.

Schubert sent the manuscript of his Unfinished Symphony to Hüttenbrenner, via Hüttenbrenner's brother Josef, around 1823. The manuscript remained with Hüttenbrenner until Johann Herbeck visited him in Ober-Andritz in 1865, and took the score away with him back to Vienna, where he conducted the first performance in December 1865.

Hüttenbrenner held the post of director of the Steiermärkischer Musikverein from 1825 to 1829. His Requiem in C minor was performed at Schubert's memorial service on 23 December 1828.

Hüttenbrenner died in Ober-Andritz at the age of 73.