A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Köchel, Ludwig

KÖCHEL, Dr. Ludwig, Ritter von, learned musician and naturalist, born Jan. 14, 1800, at Stein, near Krems on the Danube; tutor to the sons of the Archduke Karl (1828–42). From 1850 to 1863 he lived at Salzburg, and from that time to his death, on June 3, 1877, at Vienna. His work as a botanist and mineralogist does not concern us: as a musician he has immortalised his name by his 'Chronologisch-thematisches Verzeichniss' of all W. A. Mozart's works, with an appendix of lost, doubtful, and spurious compositions (Breitkopf & Härtel, Leipzig 1862). As a precursor of that precious work a small pamphlet should be named, 'Über den Umfang der musikalischen Productivität W. A. Mozarts' (Salzburg 1862). The complete edition of Mozart's works which Breitkopf & Härtel are now publishing could scarcely have been made without his generous cooperation. In 1832 von Köchel was made an Imperial Councillor, and in 42 he received the order of Leopold. Among his intimate friends was Otto Jahn, in whose work on Mozart he took an active interest. See Jahn's Mozart, 2nd ed., p. xxxi. His private character was most estimable.

[ C. F. P. ]