A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Herbeck, Johann

HERBECK, Johann, court capellmeister, born at Vienna Dec. 25, 1831. He had a few months' instruction in harmony from Rotter, but was virtually a self-made man. His ambition was high, he worked hard, and his progress was rapid and steady. In 1852 he was Choirmaster to the Piarists in the Josephstadt; in 56 choirmaster to the first Männergesangverein; in 58 professor at the Conservatorium, and choir-master of the Singverein of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde; in 59 professional conductor of the Gesellschaft concerts; in 66 chief court capelimeister; and in 71 director of the court opera. The intrigues and annoyances inseparable from this post were insupportable to Herbeck's nature: in 1875 he resigned it, and resumed the conductorship of the Gesellschaft concerts. He died, after a short illness, on the 28th of Oct. 1877. As a conductor he has left a permanent mark on music in Vienna. The numerous choral societies in particular owe their prosperity in great measure to him. As a composer he was equally ambitious and industrious, although in this branch less remarkable for invention than for his power of assimilating, rather than imitating, the strong points of his favourites, especially Schubert, of whose works he was an indefatigable exponent. His most successful compositions are his part-songs, which are admirable for simplicity and effect. His published works include:—songs for a single voice; part-songs for men's voices, and choruses, both mixed and harmonised; 'Lied und Reigen' for chorus and orchestra, etc.; 'Tanzi momente'; 'Künstlerfahrt'; 'Symphonische variationen,' and Symphony in D minor—all for full orchestra, the last with organ; string-quartet in F. op. 9. In MS. a grand mass in E, and a small ditto in F; a Te Deum; graduales; a string-quartet in D minor. Herbeck possessed several orders, including the 3rd division of the Iron Crown, which raised him to the rank of knighthood.

[ C. F. P. ]