1739 – 1813

Jan Křtitel Vaňhal (sometimes spelt Wanhal, Wanhall, Vanhal, or Van Hall) was a Czech composer active in the classical period. He grew up in rural Bohemia and later moved to Vienna, where he impressed the local musical circles. He appears to have studied with Carl Ditters von Dittersdorf, and the two played in a quartet alongside Mozart and Haydn. Towards the end of his life he was well-known enough to not work for a patron, and continued composing whilst living comfortably until the age of 74.