Johann Schrammel

Life

Johann was the illegitimate son of the clarinettist Kaspar Schrammel and his late wife Aloisia Ernst; his younger brother Josef Schrammel was in a similar situation. He also had an older half-brother named Konrad Schrammel (1833–1905), who had a less prestigious livelihood as a barrel organ player as he was forced to retire as an "invalid" from military service.

In his first musical lessons Schrammel got together with his brother, with assistance from his father. In approximately six years, Johann Schrammel could sing in the church choir in his home town Neulerchenfeld. His father had helped him receive violin lessons from Ernst Melzer despite a poor financial position.

On 6 January 1861, Johann Schrammel debuted along with his brother and father at a concert at the local inn "Zum goldenen Stuck" at the Neulerchenfelder Straße. From 1862–63 he and his two brothers studied music at the Vienna Conservatory. In addition to singing lessons, the violin was taken up by Josef Schrammel.

In June 1865 Johann Schrammel left the Conservatory, and unsecured sources claim that he was at that time already a member of the orchestra of Danzers Orpheum, Harmonietheater.

In 1872 he married Rosalia Weichselbaumer and had 13 children with her; 9 of which survived childhood.

In 1878 he founded with his brother Josef Schrammel and Anton Strohmayer a trio; they were later joined by the clarinettist Georg Danzer to form the famous Schrammel Quartet.

At the age of only 43 years Johann Schrammel died and was awarded an honorary grave in the Hernalser Cemetery. `

Honours

Works (selection)

Literature