Steffan was born in Kopidlno, near Hradec Králové, Bohemia in March 1726, the son of a schoolmaster and church organist. In 1741 he fled from the Prussian army to Vienna. He received his first musical lessons from his father but, in Vienna, he studied with Schilck and later became a student of Georg Christoph Wagenseil. He became the piano teacher of Maria Carolina and Marie Antoinette. In 1775, he contracted an eye disease which left him almost blind. He gave up his position at the court, but continued to compose. He died in Vienna in April 1797.
Works
Steffan's compositional output includes sacred works and chamber music (especially piano music). In particular he wrote caprices, harpsichord sonatas and concertos. Specific works include:
6 caprices for piano
6 concertos for harpsichord and harp with violin, cello, flutes and horns, Op. 3, No. 1-6
11 variations on an aria by Johann Christian Bach
Collection of German songs for the piano
Concerto for two alto recorders and basso continuo in F major
Divertimenti, Op. 1, Nos. 1-6
Divertimento for two pianos, two violins and bass in E flat major (originally attributed to Haydn, Hob: XIV: Es1)
Divertimento in B-flat major
Minuets for piano
Piano Concerto in B-flat major
Piano Trio in C major
Sonata in A major
Sonata in B-flat major
Sonata in D major
Sonata in E major
Sonata in G major
References
Picton, Howard J.: The Life and Works of Joseph Anton Steffan (1726 - 1797): with special reference to his keyboard concertos. 2 volumes. Garland Pub. 1989. ISBN0-8240-2345-5
