Justin Heinrich Knecht

German Classical Composer and Organist

Justin Heinrich Knecht (1752–1817) was a German composer, organist, and music theorist during the Classical period. He is best known for his programmatic symphony "Le Portrait musical de la Nature ou Grande Symphonie" (also known as the "Pastoral Symphony"), which predates Beethoven's work of the same name. Knecht's career was primarily centered in the town of Biberach an der Riß, where he served as the music director and organist at the Evangelical Lutheran church. His output includes a variety of works, ranging from keyboard compositions to orchestral pieces and vocal music. Knecht also contributed to the field of music theory with his treatise "Die Kunst des reinen Satzes in der Musik" (The Art of Strict Musical Composition). While not as widely recognized today as some of his contemporaries, Knecht's work provides an interesting glimpse into the musical practices and styles that bridged the gap between the Baroque and Romantic periods.