Nikolaus von Krufft, born 1st February 1779 in Vienna as son of a state minister, studied between 1794 and 1779 philosophy amd until 1800 law at the University in Vienna. In 1801 he was employed by the secret Court- and Statesecretary. 1815 he companied Metternich to Paris, 1817 to Italy and the the Steiermark. Nikolaus von Krufft got his first piano lessons from his mother and was taught in composition by Albrechtsberger. He was very devoted to his musical work and died early with 39 years in Vienna (16th April 1818). The Allgemeine Musikalische Zeitung 1818 described him as "a pianist of seldom talent and prezision, composer of study and spirit" (" als Clavierspieler durch seltene Fertigkeit und Präcision, als Componist durch Geist und Studium ausgezeichnet". Especially his song works are very important, he was very important for Franz Schubert, and his 24 Preludes and Fuga for piano, following Bach.
Beside the famous sonata for horn and piano Krufft composed the Variations for horn and piano. This work refers to the cavantine of the opery "Der Augenarzt" by Adalbert Gyrowetz from 1816. The composition was dedicated to the hornist Friedrich Bode, the first horn player at the Courtchapel Mecklenburg-Schwerin. He played also the original performance of the concerti for four horns by G.A.Schneider 1818 at the first horn.
