Schneider, (Johann Christian) Friedrich (1786–1853)

German composer, teacher, and conductor. He studied at Zittau, and at Leipzig while a student at the University. He advanced through several posts there to that of organist at St Thomas's Church, and conductor at the municipal theatre. He gave the first known performance of Beethoven's Emperor Concerto, at Leipzig in December 1810. In 1821 he moved to Dessau, where he was appointed Kapellmeister to the ducal court. There he founded a vocal academy and a music school.

Works Vocal seven operas; oratorios Die Höllenfahrt des Messias, Das Weltgericht, Die Sündflut, Das verlorene Paradies (after Milton), Das befreite Jerusalem, Gethsemane und Golgotha, and several others; 14 masses and other church music; 25 cantatas; 400 male-voice part-songs; 200 songs.

Instrumental 23 symphonies, overture on ‘God save the King’; six concertos; 60 sonatas.