Background
He was born near Beroun, in the present-day Czechoslovakian Republic.
He was born near Beroun, in the present-day Czechoslovakian Republic.
He was known particularly for composing piano variations. He was ordained as priest in 1786. After about two years, Gelinek accompanied the Count"s family to Vienna, where he was in the service of Prince Joseph Kinsky.
He stayed there for 13 years.
In Vienna he studied counterpoint with Johann Albrechtsberger. He was known as a piano virtuoso and was in great demand in Vienna as a piano teacher.
Mozart valued his piano improvisations. He first met Ludwig van Beethoven at an evening reception in which he was asked to compete with the piano playing of Beethoven.
Gelinek afterwards said, "I have never heard anyone play like that! He improvised on a theme which I gave him as I never heard even Mozart improvise.
He can overcome difficulties and draw effects from the piano such as we couldn"t even allow ourselves to dream about."
Gelinek composed a great deal, mostly for the piano, and was particularly known for his piano variations. He was most popular from about 1800 to 1810.