Johann Christian Heinrich Rinck (18 February 1770 – 7 August 1846) was a German composer and organist of the late classical and early romantic eras.

Life and career

Rinck was born in Elgersburg (in present-day Thuringia), and died in Darmstadt, aged 76. He studied with Johann Christian Kittel (1732–1809), (a pupil of Johann Sebastian Bach), and eventually became Kantor at the music school in Darmstadt, where he was also a court organist from 1813. He composed prolifically, and an organ primer of his enjoyed wide popularity. Among his works is a set of Variations on ‘Ah! vous dirai-je, Maman’, Opus 90, published by Simrock in 1828. It is based on a tune made familiar by Mozart (K. 265) (and generally associated with the words Twinkle Twinkle Little Star). Notable students include composer Georg Vierling and Benedict Jucker (1811–1876).

Works

Piano works

Heft 1: Freut euch des Lebens op. 39; Das Vögelchen op. 61; Brüder lagert euch im Kreise op. 44; Heft 2: Zieht ihr Krieger, zieht von dannen op. 51; Zu Steffen sprach im Traume op. 62; Heft 3: Andante con Variatione o.op. (1798) für Pianoforte oder Clavichord. Verlag Dohr

Chamber music

Organ works

Vocal works

Biographies

Sound Files

Music scores