Krenn, Franz

* 26 February 1816 in Droß, Lower Austria/A, † 19 June 1897 in St. Andrä-Wördern, Lower Austria/A. Music teacher, composer and organist.

Initially a teacher, Krenn came to Vienna in 1834, where he studied with Ignaz Seyfried (1776–1841). From 1844 he was organist at various churches in Vienna, and from 1862 he was bandmaster at St. Michael's Church, which he turned into a centre of Cecilianism. From 1869 to 1891 he taught harmony, counterpoint and composition at the Conservatory of the Society of Music Friends in Vienna. His students included, among others: Ferdinand Löwe, Gustav Mahler, Hans Rott, Hugo Wolf, Josef Venantius von Wöss and Alexander Zemlinsky (1871–1942).

Krenn was Bruckner's colleague at the conservatory. In 1871 he was a member of the commission for sending an organist to London. Bruckner and Krenn took part together in organ gatherings in Tulln (1873), Langenlois (1874) and Krems (1875).

Even if there is no evidence of this, it can be assumed that there was a collegial understanding between Bruckner and Krenn. This is what Göll.-A. says (4/2, p. 241, note 1): «Prof. Krenn was very devoted to Bruckner and always spoke of him with the greatest respect.» He also took part in the memorial service (burial) for Bruckner. In 1887, Bruckner signed a letter of congratulations from the conservatory on the occasion of Krenn being awarded the Franz Joseph Order.