Schönebeck, C. S. 01/01/1758 - 01/01/1814

Carl Siegemund Schönebeck (1758-1814), composer and violoncello virtuoso, was born at Lübben, Lower Lusatia, Germany. Having received unsatisfactory instruction on various instruments from the local town musician, he taught himself the violoncello. In 1779 he entered the service of the Count of Dohna and later obtained musical posts in the employ of the Council of Sorau, the Duke of Curland, and Count Truchsess zu Waldburg. In 1793 he became organist at the Lübenicht church in Königsberg, but illness forced him to return to his native town in 1797.



In 1800, in recitals of his own compositions which he gave in Leipzig, he was acclaimed for his beautiful tone and his uncommon dexterity. About this time various publishers printed a number of Schönebeck's compositions. Gerber's musical dictionary of 1813 does not mention any facts about the remainder of Schönebeck's life.