Joseph Merk

[1][4][5] After touring the Austrian provinces, in 1816 or 1818 Merk was appointed to his teacher Schindlöker's old post of principal cellist at the Vienna Court Opera.

[4] Up to 1837-38, only five other musicians had ever been given this special title: the violinists Niccolò Paganini and Joseph Mayseder, the pianist Sigismond Thalberg, and the singers Giuditta Pasta and Jenny Lutzer.

[13] In 1836 a reviewer wrote that Merk "would undoubtedly evoke admiration among those who give preference to singing instead of to difficulties alien to the nature of the instrument.

Let all the cellists imitate his tone, taste, performance and abandon useless torments in conquering difficulties that never touch anybody's soul.

"[6] In 1836 Friedrich August Kummer dedicated his Souvenir de la Suisse, Concertino for cello and orchestra, Op.

Liszt also played privately for Merk, and on 23 April the two took part in a performance of Hummel's Septet for piano, flute, oboe, horn, viola, cello and bass.

[13] Joseph Merk's compositions include a Concerto, a Concertino, an Adagio and Rondo, a Polonaise, various sets of variations, études and similar works.