Zöllner, Carl Heinrich 1792 - 1836

Carl Heinrich Zöllner (* 5 May 1792 in Oels, Silesia; † 2 July 1836 in Wandsbek) was a German pianist, organist and composer. Zöllner's father was organist at the castle church in Oels and gave his son organ lessons at an early age. After further training with Friedrich Wilhelm Berner in Breslau and working as a music teacher in Oppeln, Carl Heinrich Zöllner decided to pursue a career as a travelling pianist, organist and composer, which took him to many European cities (including Warsaw, London, Leipzig, Hamburg and Copenhagen). His organ playing in particular was critically acclaimed and celebrated by the public. In 1832 Zöllner settled in Hamburg, where he gave his last public performance on 22 September 1835.

Only a few of Zöllner's works are still known today. On 27 March 1826, Zöllner's opera in five acts "Kunz von Kauffungen" was premiered at the Theater an der Wien. With "Variations pour l'Orgue sur le Theme God save the King", an organ work by Zöllner has also survived.