Johannes Matthias Sperger

Johannes Matthias Sperger, also often Johann, (Czech: Jan Matyáš Sperger; 23 March 1750 – 13 May 1812) was an Austrian double bassist and composer.

Sperger was born in Feldsberg, and trained from 1767 in Vienna as a contrabassist and composer. He worked from 1777 in the Hofkapelle of the Archbishop of Pressburg. From 1778 he was also a member in the Wiener Tonkünstlersozietät, participating in its concerts several times playing his own works and as soloist. From 1783 to 1786, Sperger was a member of the Hofkapelle of count Ludwig von Erdödy in Kohfidisch. From 1789 he was employed as first contrabassist of the Mecklenburg Schwerin Hofkapelle in Ludwigslust. He was a prolific composer, writing at least forty-four symphonies, numerous instrumental concertos, including eighteen for contrabass. He also wrote sonatas, rondos and dances, cantatas, choral works, and airs. He died in Ludwigslust in 1812 aged 62.

Read more about this composer on Wikipedia.