A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Dietrich, Albert

DIETRICH, Albert Hermann, born Aug. 28, 1829, at Golk near Meissen, and educated at the Gymnasium at Dresden, from 1842 onwards. While here he determined to devote himself to music, but in spite of this resolution, he went, not to the Conservatorium, but to the University of Leipzig, in 1847, having previously studied music with Julius Otto. At Leipzig his musical tuition was in the hands of Rietz, Hauptmann and Moscheles. From 1851 he had the advantage of studying under Schumann at Düsseldorf until 1854, when the master's mental condition made further instruction impossible. During this tune, in the autumn of 1853, an incident occurred which brought Dietrich into collaboration with his master and Johannes Brahms. Joachim was coming to Düsseldorf to play at a concert on Oct. 27, and Schumann formed the plan of writing a joint violin-sonata with the other two, by way of greeting. Dietrich's share was the opening allegro in A minor. [See vol. iii. p. 404 a.] In 1854 his first symphony was given at Leipzig, and a year later he was appointed conductor of the subscription concerts at Bonn, becoming town Musikdirector in 1859. In 1861 he became Hof kapellmeister at Oldenburg. On his frequent visits to Leipzig, Cologne, and elsewhere, he has proved himself an excellent conductor, and an earnest musician. Among his works may be mentioned an opera in three acts, 'Robin Hood'; pieces for pianoforte, op. 2; songs, op. 10; a trio for piano and strings, op. 9; a symphony in D minor, op. 20; a concert overture, 'Normannenfahrt'; 'Morgenhymne'; 'Rheinmorgen'; and 'Altchristlicher Bittgesang'; works for choir and orchestra; concertos for horn (op. 29), violin (op. 30) and violoncello (op. 32); a pianoforte sonata for four hands; etc.

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