Full Name:
Karl Ignaz Augustin Kohaut
Alternate Spelling:
Cohaut
Cohot
Kohaut, Carl von
Kohaut, Carlo
Kohaut, Carolo
Kohaut, Carolus Ignatius Augustinus
Kohaut, Karl Ignaz Augustin
Kohaut, Karl Ignaz von
Kohout, Karl
Kohout, Karel
Kohott
LC Authority:
National:
Austrian
Bass Tradition:
Austrian
Activity:
Lutenist, Composer, Solo & Ensemble bassist 1, Court Administrator.
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Chronology:
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Birth:
August 26, 1726, Vienna, Austria
Nobility Title:
Bestowed in 1766
Associated with:
W.A. Mozart, F.J. Haydn
Passing:
August 6, 1784, Vienna, Austria
Relatives:
Jacob Joseph Kohaut ( c.1678-1762), father of Joseph and Karl. A lutenist active in Vienna (after 1718) and Eisenstadt. Prior to that time likely active in Berlin and Bratislava. Also, at one point a lute teacher to young prince Paul Anton Esterházy, who is known to have offered first position to J. Haydn.
Joseph Kohaut (1734-1777), younger brother active in Paris. Also a lutenist and composer.
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Bibliography:
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Dissertations:
Franková, Jana. Život a Dílo Josefa Kohouta (1734-1777) Jako Příklad Migrace Hudebníků v Osvícenské Evropě. Ph.D. Thesis, Masaryk University, Brno, 2015. Download Page
[ Translated: The Life and Works of Joseph Kohaut (1734-1777) as a Contribution to the Study of the Migration of Musicians in Enlightenment Europe ]
[ N.B. Although the thesis title cites Joseph Kohaut, the 2nd chapter is dedicated his brother Karl Kohaut, pp. 108-130. ]
Frantz, Robert. Das Streicherwerk Carl Kohauts. Unfinished Thesis, Vienna University (?), Vienna, n.d.
[ This thesis is located at Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Musiksammlung, Vienna, Austria. Presented in two documents: Mus.Hs.37296 Mus and Mus.Hs.37297 Mus ]
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Other Research:
Frantz, Robert. Analysen der Kammermusik Karl Kohauts. ÖNB, Musiksammlung, n.p., n.d. Mus.Hs.37335 Mus
Frantz, Robert. Analyse des “Concerto per il Contrabasso, Violini I, II e Basso.” ÖNB, Musiksammlung, n.p., n.d. Mus.Hs.37325 Mus
Frantz, Robert. Karl Kohauts. Besprechung des Steicherwerkes. ÖNB, Musiksammlung, n.p., n.d. Mus.Hs.37336 Mus
Frantz, Robert. Zur Biographie Karl Kohauts. ÖNB, Musiksammlung, n.p., n.d. Mus.Hs.37332 Mus
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Articles:
Franková, Jana. “Music at the Court of Adam Franz and Joseph Adam von Schwarzenberg: Vienna, Český Krumlov and Paris, and Transitions at to the End of Baroque Era.” Musicologica Brunensia. 47.1 (2012): 159-177. Download Link
[ Presents an overview of Kohaut family members and their activities at Schwarzenberg and Esterhazy courts. Karl Kohaut family tree p. 174 ]
Klíma, Josef. “Karl Kohaut, der letzte Wiener Lautenist.” Oesterreichische Musikzeitschrift, XXVI (1971): 141-144. Article Citation Link
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Dictionary Entries:
Dlabač, Bohumír Jan. Allgemeines Historisches Künstler-Lexikon für Böhmen und Zum Theil auch für Mähren und Schlesien. Vol. 2. Prag: Gedruckt bei G. Haase, 1815, col. 88 Online View
Eitner, Robert. Biographisch-bibliographisches Quellen-Lexikon der Musiker und Musikgelehrten der Christlichen Zeitrechnung bis zur Mitte des Neunzehnten Jahrhunderts. Vol. 5, Leipzig: Breitkopf & Haertel, 1900-1904. p. 409 Online View
Fétis, François-Joseph. Biographie Universelle Des Musiciens Et Bibliographie Générale De La Musique. 1st ed. Vol. 5. Bruxelles: Leroux, 1835-1844. p. 373 Online View
Gassner, Ferdinand Simon. Universal-Lexikon der Tonkunst. Neue Hand-Ausgabe in einem Bande. Stuttgard: Köhler, 1849. p. 499 Online View
Gerber, Ernst Ludwig. Historisch-biographisches Lexicon Der Tonkünstler: Welches Nachrichten Von Dem Leben Und Werken Musikalischer Schriftsteller, Beru̇hmter Componisten, Sȧnger Meister auf Instrumenten, Dilettanten, Orgel- und Instrumentenmacher, Enthȧlt. 1st ed, vol. 1, Leipzig: J.G.I. Breitkopf, 1790-1792. col. 745 Online View
Grove – Klima, Josef. “Kohaut, Karl” in: The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians. (S. Sadie, ed.) New York: Macmillan Publishers Limited, 1980, Vol. 10, p. 153.
Grove – Young, David. “Kohaut, Karl (Ignaz Augustin)” in: Grove Online (Oxford Music Online) – Record Link (by subscription)
MGG – Klima, Josef. “Kohaut, Karl (Ignaz Augustin)” in: Die Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart – Online – Record Link (partial view)
Schilling, Gustav. Encyclopädie der gesamten musikalischen Wissenschaften oder Universal-Lexicon der Tonkunst. Stuttgart: Köhler, 1840–1842, Bd. 4 (1841), p. 173. Online View
Wurzbach, Constantin von. Biographisches Lexikon des Kaiserthums Oesterreich. Wien: K. K. Hof- und Staatsdrukerei, 1884, p. 286-7. G Books – ALO
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Online Dictionaries:
Bayerisches Musiker Lexikon Online – Kohaut, Karl
Grove Music Online – Kohaut, Karl (subscription needed)
MGG – Kohaut, Karl. Josef Klima Author (preview)
Österreichisches Musiklexikon Online – Kohaut, Karl von
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Online Biographies:
Wikipedia en – Karl Kohaut
Wikipedia fr – Karl Kohaut
Wikipedia de – Karl Ignaz von Kohaut
Ars Antiqua Austria – Karl Kohaut
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Thematic Catalog:
Franková, Jana. Tematický katalog děl Josefa a Karla Kohouta, Apendix A, as a part of Franková, Jana. Život a Dílo Josefa Kohouta (1734-1777) Jako Příklad Migrace Hudebníků v Osvícenské Evropě. Ph.D. Thesis, Masaryk University, Brno, 2015.
Frantz, Robert. Zur Biographie Karl Kohauts [ printed, n.d. ] as a part of Robert Frantz (1880-1947) estate at Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Musiksammlung, Vienna, Austria [ A-Wn ] Mus.Hs.37332
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Compositions:
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Solo & Ensemble:
• Concerto per il Contrabasso (18th c.) Ap 7 [ Frankova] ; FWV 19 [ Frantz ]
Scoring:
Solo cb, vln I, vln II, basso, hrn I, hrn II [ A-Wgm source ]
Solo cb, vln I, vln II, vla, basso, hrn I, hrn II [ Bratislava source ]
Autographs & Manuscripts:
Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, Vienna, Austria, [A-Wgm ] Ms. Sign. IX / 6399
[ period manuscript from the Anton Langahmmer estate ]
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Musiksammlung, Vienna, Austria [ A-Wn ] Mus.Hs.37323 Mus
[ undated manuscript, Robert Frantz estate, score in pencil, clean copy ]
Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Musiksammlung, Vienna, Austria [ A-Wn ] Mus.Hs.37324 Mus
[ undated manuscript, Robert Frantz estate, score in pencil, rough copy ]
Private Collection, Bratislava, Slovakia
[ period manuscript, source cited in: Focht, Josef. Der Wiener Kontrabass: Spieltechnik und Aufführungspraxis : Musik und Instrumente. Tutzing: Schneider, 1999. p. 116 ]
Editions:
Kohaut, Karl. Concerto for Double Bass and Orchestra. Edited by Dave Young, London: Yorke Edition, 1996. [ arranged for bass and piano ]
Kohaut, Karl. Concert für Contrabass und Orchester (pianoforte). Edited by Rudolf Malarić. Wien: Doblinger, [19–] (presumed 1960s) [ arranged for bass and piano ]
Bibliography:
Albright, Philip H. Original Solo Concertos for the Double Bass. Rochester, N.Y: University of Rochester Press, D.M.A. Thesis, University of Rochester, 1969, p. 49-50. Download Page
Franková, Jana. Život a Dílo Josefa Kohouta (1734-1777) Jako Příklad Migrace Hudebníků v Osvícenské Evropě. Ph.D. Thesis, Masaryk University, Brno, 2015, p. 152, 386, 395. Download Page
Frantz, Robert. Analyse des “Concerto per il Contrabasso, Violini I, II e Basso.” n.p., n.d. – ÖNB record link Mus.Hs.37325 Mus
[ From Robert Frantz estate. The record title points to a an analytical paper dedicated to Kohaut’s concerto. ]
Heyes, David. 84. Karl Kohaut – Concerto in D major for Double Bass in an online series “A History of the Double Bass in 100 Pieces”, Facebook, August, 2015. Online View
Braodcasts:
November 18, 1983 ; CBC FM band ; CBC Vancouver Orchestra ; soloist, Wilmer Fawcett on bass in Viennese Tuning ; orchestra leader, Elizabeth Wilcock, as a concertmaster.
Recorded: December 11 and 12, 1982 : 10.30-1.30, CBC Studio 1, Vancouver, Canada
Instrument: Czech or Eastern European bass ca. 1900
Bass setup: Viennese Tuning, 5 string D setup – steel strings
Announcement: Introduction by Shelagh Rogers
Notes:
This broadcast has featured the first modern performance of Kohaut’s bass concerto. It was organized through the initiative of bassists Wilmer Fawcett, who also edited the concerto from the original parts for the ensemble. This broadcast has also featured for the first time an authentic solo bass performance on the period Viennese tuning. The following audio files are presented by courtesy of Wilmer Fawcett.
1. Allegro
2. Adagio
3. Presto
Recordings:
Kohaut, Karl. Karl Kohaut: Haydn’s Lute Player. CC 72323, Amersfoort, The Netherlands: Challenge Classics, 2009. CD.
Ars Antiqua Austria ; Gunar Letzbor, artistic direction ; Hubert Hoffman, lute ; Jan Krigovsky, Viennese double bass.
Recorded March 26-29, 2008, Ivanka pri Dunaji castle, Slovakia.
Web Page
Online Video
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Iconography:
The present state of research could not confirm any authentic image of Karl Kohaut. The image of a lutenist commonly associated with Karl Kohaut is actually of his brother Joseph Kohaut. For further details on this image and other Kohaut images in circulation, see Franková thesis (cited above) p. 112.
(Joseph) Kohaut by Louis Carrogis de Carmontelle (1717-1806)
Réunion des Musées Nationaux (RMN) – Info
Réunion des Musées Nationaux (RMN) – Image
Bibliothèque nationale de France (Gallica) – Image
(assumed ) Kohaut & Mozart
Ars Antiqua – Image
Footnotes:
1. Jana Franková in her thesis (cited above) p. 114, points to Maximilian Stadler (1748–1833) characterization of Kohaut’s skills:
“Karl Kohaut, Secretair bey der k. k. Hof- und Staatskanzley zu Wienn, der größte Lautenist, den Kaiser Joseph ungemein schätzte und mit sich auf Reisen mitnahm. Er spielte mehrere Instrumenten meisterlich, besonders den Violon. Seine Fantasien auf der Laute konnten auch die größten Meister nicht ohne innigster Rührung anhören. Seine Kompositionen waren Meisterstücke. Schade, daß so wenig durch den Stich bekannt worden.”
Translated:
“Karl Kohaut, secretary of the Imperial Court of Vienna, the greatest lutenist, whom the Emperor Joseph greatly esteemed and took with him on various journeys. He played several instruments masterfully, especially the violon. Even the greatest masters could not listen his lute fantasies without an emotional impact. His compositions were masterpieces. It is a pitty that so few of them have become widely known.”
Cited in: Wagner, Karel (ed.) “Abbé Maximilian Stadler. Seine Materialien zur Geschichte der Musik unter den Österreichischen Regenten.” Schriftenreihe der Internationalen Stiftung Mozarteum, Bd. 6. Kassel: Bärenreiter, [1978], p. 106.
Josef Focht in his Der Wiener Kontrabass: Spieltechnik Und Aufführungspraxis : Musik Und Instrumente. Tutzing: Schneider, 1999, p. 116, cites three works that point to Kohaut’s activity as a bassist:
1. Frantz, Robert. Analysen der Kammermusik Karl Kohauts. ÖNB, Musiksammlung, n.p., n.d. Mus.Hs.37335 Mus
2. Riedel, Karl. Die Wiener Symphoniker vor und um 1750. Thesis (unpublished), Vienna, 1905.
3. Klíma, Josef. “Karl Kohaut, der letzte Wiener Lautenist.” Oesterreichische Musikzeitschrift, XXVI (1971): 141-144. Article Citation Link
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Posted: May 23, 2017