Johann Christian Friedrich Schneider

Johann Christian Friedrich Schneider, born 1786 in Altwaltersdorf near Zittau, died 1853 in Dessau. Extensive attempts at composition from an early age. Lived in Leipzig from 1805, organist at St Thomas' Church from 1813, music director at the city theatre from 1817; in 1821 he became court conductor in Dessau, where he was active in an exemplary manner as a music teacher (founder of a music school and various choirs); conducted many important music festivals. His oratorios, which stand between Haydn and Mendelssohn, were often performed; his most famous work is the oratorio ‘Das Weltgericht’ (1819).