Eisenhofer, Franz Xaver 11/29/1783 - 08/15/1855

Franz Xaver Eisenhofer (* 29.11.1783 in Ilmmünster / Upper Bavaria, † 15.8.1855 in Würzburg) was a German composer, writer, lyricist, rector of studies and professor. He received his first music lessons at the Benedictine monastery in Scheyern. After attending the Gymnasium in Neuburg an der Donau, he entered philosophy studies in Munich, where he also received lessons in harmony and counterpoint from Joseph Grätz (1760-1826). After briefly entering the Munich seminary and later being employed as a court master at the seat of Count La Rosée in Haag/Amper, Eisenhofer nevertheless decided to become a teacher. His first posting from1810 was as an assistant teacher in Landshut, and later at the grammar schools in Passau, Neuburg on the Danube and Würzburg (where he was a study rector from 1825). From the university in Würzburg, where Eisenhofer held a professorship, he received the title of honorary doctor of philosophy in 1854; prreviously (1840) he was made a knight of the Bavarian Order of Merit of St. Michael. Even today, a street in Würzburg (Frauenland) is named after him. Besides being a teacher, he also appeared as a choir director, singer, violinist, music educator and singing teacher.

As a composer of songs, he wrote most of the texts himself. Eisenhofer's male quartets in particular were extremely popular in his day, but can only be heard in isolated instances nowadays.