Who is Josepha Auernhammer?

Josepha Barbara Auernhammer (also Aurnhammer) was born in Vienna on September 25, 1758 to Johann Michael Auernhammer and Elizabeth Timmer. Her first music teachers were Georg Friedrich Richter (or Joseph Richter) and the Bohemian pianist Leopold Anton Kozeluch. In 1781 her family took in a border, newly arrived in Vienna, named Wolfgang AmadeusMozart and she became one of his first students in this city. 

In Mozart’s many letters to his father this year he frequently mentioned her. It seems that she had a sound technical facility, but he noted “in cantabile playing she has not got the real delicate singing style”.  Soon, though, he declared that he was thoroughly pleased with her progress and delighted with her keyboard skills. 

In June of 1781 Mozart asked his father to copy and send several of his works to him, including the concerto for two pianoforte in E flat major (K365). By September the composer reported that Josepha was “worrying me to death” about the piece —apparently it had not yet arrived — and only on October 13 did he write home to say that he and Fräulein Auernhammer were grateful to have received it. They went on to perform it at the Auernhammers’ home in Vienna on November 23, 1781, and also on May 26, 1782. Included in the November concert was the brilliant concertante, Sonata in D, K. 448, for two pianos, written specifically for this concert. It is an indication of her great skill that Mozart wrote the "primo" part for her.

The twenty-two year-old Josepha was taking daily music lessons, and performing, with the twenty-five year-old Mozart and it wasn’t long before she had fallen hopelessly in love. When Mozart became aware of this he wrote a scathing account of her personal hygiene to his father in an apparent gesture of reassurance that he was not about to marry her. He moved to other accommodations and made his intentions clear with Josepha, but their friendship and musical collaboration continued for years. He was instrumental in helping her when her father died in 1782 and she needed to move out of her home, by arranging free board and lodging with the Baronness Waldstatten.


In 1786 Josepha married Johann Bessenig (ca. 1752-1837), with whom she had four children. She retained her maiden name in her professional life as a concert pianist in Vienna and as a composer. She ranked alongside the most renowned artists in Vienna and from the 1790’s gave regular concerts in the Burg Theater. Her last public performance was on March 21, 1813 in the Burg Theater. It included her daughter, Marianna, who became a professional singer under the name Auenheim and taught voice and composition in Vienna.

As a composer Josepha wrote a set of six German songs, a violin and piano sonata, piano sonatas and duets and a dozen sets of variations, the best known being the set of six variations on 'Der Vogelfanger bin ich ja’ from Mozart’s Die Zauberflote, published in 1793 (available from Hildegard Publishing Co.). Her works are known for their comprehensive knowledge of piano technique and artful use of the instrument.

Music From Master Mozart

"Sonata for Two Pianos in D, K 448"

In June of 1781 Mozart asked his father to copy and send several of his works to him, including the concerto for two pianoforte in E flat major (K365). By September the composer reported that Josepha was “worrying me to death” about the piece —apparently it had not yet arrived — and only on October 13 did he write home to say that he and Fräulein Auernhammer were grateful to have received it. They went on to perform it at the Auernhammers’ home in Vienna on November 23, 1781, and also on May 26, 1782. Included in the November concert was the brilliant concertante, Sonata in D, K. 448, for two pianos, written specifically for this concert. It is an indication of her great skill that Mozart wrote the "primo" part for her.

A Novel Based on Mozart's Pupil

There's a few things I'd like to accomplish before leaving this planet, and one of them is having written and published a novel about W. A. Mozart. At first I wasn't sure who I was going to write about but after meditating and searching, my answer came to me after having a spiritual breakthrough. I picked Mozart's pupil, Josepha Auernhammer as my subject because I think Mozart fans (new and old) would find her story fascinating. Not only was she talented, and had a unique place in music history, but her master was one of the most popular composers of her time... When Mozart moved to Vienna and teaches a handful of students, Josepha Auernhammer was lucky to be his pupil. His music was already popular, and won the hearts of many, but only a few women got to be involved romantically with the 18th century composer. Josepha Auernhammer falls in love with her master, but he does not return his likeness at first because of her lack of beauty. She was busty, with a  big heart, and appetite. In the beginning Auernhammer showed know real talent for singing, but once they moved onto piano her real beauty shined through.

Mozart was impressed, and their relationship blossomed, but they never became a real couple. Instead they had a special bond as master and pupil. Auernhammer knew she did not have good looks, but she never let that stop her from being a great composer and teacher. In fact, when Mozart passed away in 1791, she continued playing and met her future husband, Johann Blessenig. If you placed Auernhammer in modern times, I think a lot of women could identify with her. She teaches women not to let their "lack of beauty" get in the way of their dreams. She also teaches us how to move forward, and still love a person without being romantically involved.