Claus Schall

Claus Nielsen Schall (28 April 1757 – 10 August 1835) was a Danish violinist and composer living much of his life as a subject of Denmark–Norway. Life and career Niels Pedersen Schall’s father, initially a cobbler’s apprentice, later established his own dance school. His mother was Christiane Pedersdatter, née Salling. He had two brothers, Andreas Schall and Peder Schall, who were also musicians. Early years His father, keen on involving him in dance, arranged violin lessons for him. Later, he briefly worked in an office but found it unsuitable. In 1772, he independently enrolled in the Theatre’s dance school, becoming a supernumerary in 1773. Engaging in ballets, he had the opportunity to hear various pieces of music, which he memorized on the violin due to his excellent musical memory. He supported himself by teaching dance in Roskilde and Holbæk during summers and giving music lessons in Copenhagen during winters. In 1776, during a rehearsal for the ballet “Kongen paa Jagt,” the rehearsal director fell ill, and the key to the music cabinet was misplaced. Schall played the entire music from memory and even conducted the ballet that evening when no violinist from the orchestra dar