Anton Kraft

(b Rokycany, 30 Dec 1749; d Vienna, 28 Aug 1820). Austrian composer and cellist. He held posts in Prince Nikolaus Esterházy's orchestra from 1778 (when he studied composition with Haydn), later in Bratislava and from 1796 in Prince Lobkowitz's orchestra in Vienna. Haydn's Cello Concerto in D (long attributed to Kraft) was written for him, as was the cello part of Beethoven's Triple Concerto. His own works include cello sonatas, duets for violin and cello, cello duos, a concerto and some miscellaneous pieces. His son Nikolaus (b Eszterháza, 14 Dec 1778; d Cheb, 18 May 1853) was also a distinguished cellist who played in the Lobkowitz orchestra and the Schuppanzigh Quartet; he composed cello concertos and numerous salon pieces