Ludwig Ritter von Köchel
Ludwig Alois Friedrich Köchel arrived in the town of Stein on the 14th of January 1800. He pursued legal studies at Vienna and earned his PhD degree by 1827. For fifteen years he served as a tutor to four sons of Archduke Charles of Austria. This long period of service defined his early adult life before any major scholarly fame arrived.
Austrian authorities rewarded him with a knighthood after his decade-and-a-half tenure ended. A generous financial settlement accompanied this noble title. These resources allowed him to spend the rest of his life as a private scholar without needing official employment. He died of cancer at age 77 in Vienna on the 3rd of June 1877.
Contemporary scientists were greatly impressed by his botanical researches across North Africa. He traveled extensively through the Iberian Peninsula and the United Kingdom during these scientific journeys. His explorations reached as far north as the North Cape and deep into Russia. In addition to botany, he was interested in geology and mineralogy while maintaining a love for music.
In 1862 he published the Köchel catalogue as a chronological and thematic register of Mozart's works. This catalogue was the first on such a scale with such a level of scholarship behind it. It has since undergone revisions to correct errors or add new discoveries. Mozart's works are often referred to by their KV-numbers today.
Otto Jahn made a comprehensive collection of Mozart works while writing a scholarly biography simultaneously. When Jahn learned of Köchel's work he turned over his entire collection to him. Köchel dedicated his catalogue to this biographer who had shared so much material. Robert Levin later noted the significance of this transfer in academic circles.
Köchel arranged Mozart's works into twenty-four categories for future reference. Breitkopf & Härtel used these categories when they published the first complete edition from 1877 to 1910. A venture partly funded by Köchel supported this massive publishing project. He also catalogued the works of Johann Fux alongside his major musical achievements.
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Common questions
When was Ludwig Alois Friedrich Köchel born and where did he arrive?
Ludwig Alois Friedrich Köchel arrived in the town of Stein on the 14th of January 1800. He pursued legal studies at Vienna and earned his PhD degree by 1827.
What profession did Ludwig Ritter von Köchel hold before becoming a private scholar?
For fifteen years Ludwig Ritter von Köchel served as a tutor to four sons of Archduke Charles of Austria. Austrian authorities rewarded him with a knighthood after this decade-and-a-half tenure ended.
Where did Ludwig Ritter von Köchel conduct his botanical researches during his scientific journeys?
Contemporary scientists were greatly impressed by his botanical researches across North Africa, the Iberian Peninsula, and the United Kingdom. His explorations reached as far north as the North Cape and deep into Russia.
Why is the Köchel catalogue significant for Mozart's works today?
In 1862 Ludwig Ritter von Köchel published the Köchel catalogue as a chronological and thematic register of Mozart's works. Mozart's works are often referred to by their KV-numbers today based on this publication.
How did Otto Jahn contribute to the creation of the Köchel catalogue?
Otto Jahn made a comprehensive collection of Mozart works while writing a scholarly biography simultaneously. When Jahn learned of Ludwig Ritter von Köchel's work he turned over his entire collection to him.