A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Gelinek, Joseph

by Carl Ferdinand Pohl

GELINEK, Joseph, secular priest, composer of variations for pianoforte, born Dec. 3, 1758, at Selcz in Bohemia, where his father was schoolmaster. He was well-grounded in music at home, and on going to Prague to complete his philosophical studies took lessons from Segert in composition and organ-playing. In 1783 he became a divinity student at the General-Seminar, the orchestra of which at that time executed standard works so well as to elicit praise from Mozart himself when in Prague. Mozart also applauded Gelinek's pianoforte playing, and encouraged him to persevere. In 1786 he was ordained priest, and became domestic chaplain and pianoforte teacher to Prince Joseph Kinsky, who settled an income upon him for life, and took him to Vienna, where he studied with Albrechtsberger. He then accompanied Prince Poniatowsky to Rome, with the view to obtain further instruction, but illness obliged him to return to Vienna. There he became the favourite pianoforte teacher of the nobility, and was liberally paid. In 1795 he entered Prince Esterhazy's household as chaplain and music master, and remained there till his death, which took place in Vienna April 13, 1825. For Gelinek's relations with Beethoven see p. 168a; and Czerny in Pohl's ' Jahresbericht des Conservatoriums in Wien,' 1869–70.

Gelinek composed with ease and rapidity; both he and his publishers made large profits from his works, the variations in the fashionable style of the day especially having a ready sale. Of these alone there is a thematic catalogue (Offenbach, Andre) containing 98, with spaces for more. The monotony which was one of their weak points is well hit in Weber's epigram:—

  'An den berühmten Variationen-Schmidt Gelinek.

   Kein Thema in der Welt Terschonte dein Genie,
   Das simpelste allein—Dich selbst—variirst Du nie.'

Although at that time the rage, they are shallow and superficial; and like his fantasias, rondos, marches, dance-music and arrangements, his few sonatas, songs, etc. are all now forgotten. Notwithstanding considerable losses, Gelinek left 42,000 gulden (about £4000) among his poor relations.

[ C. F. P. ]