Christoph(er) Weyse was born in Altona. He studied music with Johann Abraham Peter Schulz in Copenhagen. In 1794, he was appointed organist at the Reformed Church in the city and served in the same post at the Vor Frue Kirke after 1805. In 1819, he was appointed Court Composer.

He was best known for his vocal works, which included numerous singspielen, a setting of the Te Deum and of the Miserere, a cantata, and above all, lieder after poems by Matthias Claudius, Johann Heinrich Voss and Ludwig Heinrich Christoph Hölty. He also composed seven symphonies and numerous pieces for solo piano.

He was a patron of the young Christian Andersen when this latter run away from home.

Although Altona is currently in German territory, it was Danish at the time the composer was born. He died in Copenhagen.