A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Bargiel, Woldemar
BARGIEL, Woldemar, son of a teacher of music at Berlin, and step-brother of Mme. Clara Wieck-Schumann (his mother being the divorced wife of Friedrich Wieck), was born at Berlin, Oct. 3, 1828. He was made to play the piano, the violin, and organ at home, and was instructed in counterpoint by Dehn. As a youth of 18, and in accordance with the advice of his brother-in-law, Robert Schumann, he spent two years at the Conservatorium of Leipzig, which was then (1846) under Mendelssohn's supervision: and, before leaving it, he attracted general attention by an octet for strings, which was performed at one of the public examinations.
After his return to Berlin, in 1850, he commenced work as a teacher, and increased his reputation as a composer by the publication of various orchestral and chamber works, as well a pianoforte pieces. In 1859 he was called to a professorship at the Conservatorium of Cologne, which, in 1865, he exchanged for the post of Capellmeister, and director of the school of music at Rotterdam. Latterly (1874), he has found a field still more fit for his powers, at the Königliche Hochschule für Musik, which is now flourishing under the leadership of Joachim, at Berlin.
As a composer, Bargiel must be ranked among the foremost disciples of Schumann. He makes up for a certain lack of freshness and spontaneity in his themes by most carefully elaborated treatment. Besides his pianoforte pieces, op. 1–5, and his trios for pianoforte and strings, two overtures for full orchestra, 'Zu einem Trauerspiel,' and 'Medea,' and the 23rd Psalm for female voices should be particularly mentioned.