Weyse would begin his musical career in Copenhagen as the Organist at the Reformed Church, though eventually he gained a position at the Copenhagen Cathedral. In 1816, Weyse was made a professor at the University of Copenhagen, where he received an honorary doctorate. Nonetheless, in 1819, Weyse was appointed composer at the Danish court. In his compositions, Weyse had an immense amount of respect for the composers of the 18th century. He drew inspiration from the works of Bach, Handel, Mozart, Haydn and Gluck, and held a rather conservative view in terms of the emotional expression. Near the end of his life, Weyse would again become an influential professor, as well as an extremely respected individual in musical groups across Denmark. Weyse was a major figure in the creation of the first Danish opera school.
Weyse is remembered mostly for his vocal works. He was charged with the composition of cantatas and operas for the Kongelige Teater while working for the court. He also wrote choral and solo works, numerous Singspiel-type operas, seven symphonies, and two volumes of piano compositions. Although better known for his vocal works, the RBI Freedman Collection is home to several keyboard works by Weyse, including the Etudes for Pianoforte Op. 51, volumes 1 and 2, and several arrangements of opera overtures, such as the "Ouverture af Macbeth," "Ouverture De lopera une aventure au kardin du roi," and "Ouverture floribella."
A Bust of Weyse located in Frue Plads, Copenhagen, Denmark. Wikimedia Commons, Public Domain.