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Eugen Wenzel von Würben [Eugen Wenzel Graf von Wrbna-Freudenthal; Evžen Václav z Vrbna] came from the younger (Hořowitzer) branch of the Bohemian line. The only son of Grafen Norbert Franz Wenzel from his marriage to Aloisia Stephanie Gräfin Kinsky, he lost a one-year-old child, the father, and the mother married eight years later with Rudolf Grafen Chotek, one of Austria's most deserving statesmen, with whom she lived in happiest marriage for over half a century, and who followed her only a few months later in death.
Under the guidance of his witty mother, Graf Eugen Wenzel received an extraordinarily careful upbringing, initially in the parents' house from capable teachers, until he was thoroughly prepared, 18 years old, in 1746 at the then famous Universität Leipzig (enrollment on February 13, 1746); and was a pupil of J.S. Bach while there. A group of documents, belonging to J.S. Bach's private correspondence, even though they also affected a significant part of his income, were written agreements with private students and other collaborators. The occasional mention of contracts ("Contracte") suggests that agreements for musical lessons (length and cost of the lessons), and also the lending of musical instruments, were made in writing and not just orally. J.S. Bach's own contracts of this kind have not been preserved; however, some receipts from 1747 related to J.S. Bach's keyboard lessons for Graf von Würben (Wrbna) (who would later be one of W.A. Mozart's supporters in Vienna) suggest that written agreements of this kind must have existed.
After Leipzig, from about 1748, Graf Eugen Wenzel went on the usual cavalier tour, on which he practically completed the previous theoretical training by visiting the various countries of the continent and getting to know their courts, their state and social institutions, literature, customs and customs of the peoples, and thus getting started prepared for civil service. He then embarked on a political career, and quickly passing through the usual ranks, he finally took the place of the Galizisch-Lodomerischen Hofkanzlers (Galician-Iodomer Chancellor) (in Lemberg?). Finally he entered the service of the court and became k. k. Obersthofmarschall. The Emperor's grace honored him with the (Ritter des goldenen Vließes (Order of the Golden Fleece), which the highest distinction, which was only intended for royal blood and the highest nobility, was given to him first to his grandfather Johann Franz and then to his son, the famous statesman Grafen Rudolf. To what extent the count enjoyed general popularity in public opinion, we learn from a script that only covers the chosen few of humanity with the glory glow of unprejudiced, most honorable appreciation. The count says there: “The count is an archetype of the ministers, of whom one must say, in order to express his dignity and qualities, that he is a man! On his forehead one reads frankness, determination, love for the country; his gaze reveals deep insight and knowledge of human nature; his language is the language of nature and the always open heart. A hypocrite will fall silent before him, an honest man will believe to speak to his father. His solid scholarship, his widespread knowledge of the constitutions, his proven righteousness and his important services to the state, combined with uncommon benevolence and love for human beings, make him an object of general veneration and respect. " These are words of respect and veneration spoken from the innermost conviction. He became Obersthofmarschall in Vienna.
Graf Eugen Wenzel had been married since October 9, 1754 with Gräfin Kollonics, born Maria Theresa, from which marriage three sons and daughters - the whole family status can be seen from the 2nd family tree. It is primarily the eldest of the sons, Graf Rudolf, who, like his father, was an ornament of the state and the decoration of his deserving sprout, which was never lacking.
A receipt from J.S. Bach on December 18, 1747 about piano lessons given by "Anwiederumb" tells of Würben's lessons. In five other receipts received (June to December 1747), J.S. Bach only certified rent payments for a harpsichord that were usually made a month in advance. Classes may have lasted from at least mid-1747 to early 1748.
References: Koska: A-55 |
