A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Förster, Emanuel
FÖRSTER, Emanuel Aloys, composer of good chamber-music, born at Niederstein, Glatz, Silesia, Jan. 26, 1748. In his youth he studied music by himself, and composed industriously, while obeying his father by attending the Latin school, and working under him as an accountant at a tavern. He afterwards served in the Prussian army, and in 1776 resolved to go to Vienna in order to cultivate music thoroughly. There he soon became one of the most valued teachers of thorough-bass and composition, and his works were universally respected as the products of sound thought and earnest study. In 1802 he published his 'Anleitung zum Generalbass' (Traeg) with 146 examples, a clear practical work still of value. In 1805 it was re-published by Breitkopf & Härtel, and a new edition by Artaria in 1824. Förster added three supplementary numbers of practical examples. His compositions consist of 48 violin quartets, numerous pianoforte sonatas, preludes and fugues for Lieder, etc. He composed the variations in A on an air from Sarti's opera 'I finti Eredi,' which were long attributed to Mozart, and extremely popular; and which appeared in many editions of Mozart's works. (Köchel, p. 530, No. 289; compare Jahn's 'Mozart,' ed. 1, iv. 11; ed. 2, ii. 137.) Förster was held in high estimation by all the composers of his own time, particularly by Beethoven, who speaks of him in terms implying he had learnt much from him. He died at Vienna Nov. 12, 1823. His place and date of birth and death, much disputed points, are given here from the Transactions of the 'Tonkünstler-Societät,' of which he was a member.
[ C. F. P. ]