Considered a German composer, but born in Czechoslovakia, Moscheles excelled early on the piano and was taught by Weber between 1804 and 1808. Weber insisted that he learn Bach and Clementi but once he discovered Beethoven's "Pathetique" Moscheles was captured. He moved to Vienna in 1808 to become closer to Beethoven. He studied composition with Salieri and counterpoint with Albrechtsberger. Moscheles was recognized as a virtuoso by 1814 and he was commissioned to transcribe Beethoven's "Fidelio" for piano. Concerts were performed by Moscheles throughout Germany, Paris and London. His audiences began to include the young Schumann and friendships and comparisons were made with Clementi and Cramer. He met Mendelssohn when the latter was fifteen and was able to give him some subtle lessons. Settling in London in 1825 Moscheles taught piao at the RAM and maintained students including Thalberg. While in London he contributed a great deal to the musical life there playing for social gatherings, entertaining revivified interests in Baroque music by performing Bach and Scarlatti on the harpsichord, continued composing and directed the debuts of Beethoven's "Ninth Symphony" and "Missa Solemnis." In 1846 he was appointed a professor of piano for the Leipzig Conservatory where he remained for the rest of his life. The greatest body of his compositions were arranged for the piano and included diverse genres for salon settings. Methodologically his technique is still apparent in the content of his piano stuides which are still used today. Composers like Mendelssohn considered his best work to be represented in the sonata form. Artistically he crafted music well with a balance between classical themes and romantic dynamics. ~ Keith Johnson