Johann Benjamin Groß

Johann Benjamin Gross, the son of bell ringer Georg Gross, was born in 1809 in Elblag. He received his first music lesson from his father before he went to study under Ferdinand Hansmann in Berlin. There he was engaged as early as 1823 in the orchestra
at the Königstädtisches Theater. In 1832 Gross went to Leipzig where he performed multiple times as a solo cellist in Gewandhaus concerts – including with Elise Filipowicz, a student of Spohr – and already brought his own compositions to the public’s attention,
attracting a great deal of interest. He played with Clara Wieck and was her composition teacher for a short time. He later got to know Robert Schumann, with whom he stayed loosely
in contact. It was during this time that Gross composed his first cello concerto – long before Robert Schumann’s Concerto in A minor – the research community today regards as sensational. From 1833 to 1835 he played in the Liphardt Quartet together with distinguished violinist Ferdinand David in Tartu, Estonia.
This was followed by concert tours and short-term positions. In 1837, Gross took over the position of solo cellist in St. Petersburg’s imperial orchestra. Shortly after, he became the Russian royal chamber musician, Professor of Music at the lyceum and teacher
to Grand Duke Michael.
Gross was so successful in St. Petersburg that he gave up his original plan of returning to Germany. He played many concerts with violinist Wilhelm Ernst and was a much sought-after quartet musician, partnering Henry Vieuxtemps and the Albrecht brothers.
Together with the latter, he made considerable contribution to the establishment of the previously underdeveloped string quartet culture in St. Petersburg. In 1848 he contracted cholera and died
later in the same year.
The Johann Benjamin Gross catalogue of works is characterized by his compositions for cello. Aside from four cello concertos, his works include duos for 2 cellos or cello and basso continuo, cello and guitar, four string quartets, compositions for solo cello as well as a cello tutor and some didactic pieces for cello. A number
of songs and choral works form a separate part of this catalogue.