Schuppanzigh, Ignaz#

b. Vienna, Nov. 20, 1776, d. Vienna, March 2, 1830. Violinist, conductor. Directed the string quartet of Prince K. Lichnowsky, where he met L. van Beethoven. In 1804 founded the famous S. Quartet (with J. Mayseder, F. Weiss and F. A. Kraft), which was soon considered the best European string quartet (1808-1816 in the service of Prince Rasumofsky). The group greatly influenced contemporary composers. From 1795 S. directed the concerts in the Augarten park in Vienna, was instrumental in furthering the acceptance and performance of Beethoven´s works in Vienna.