A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Gernsheim, Friedrich

GERNSHEIM, Friedrich, eminent player, composer, and conductor, born of Hebrew parents at Worms July 17, 1839. He received his first instruction in music from his mother, an able pianiste, and was then put successively into the hands of Liebe, Pauer, and Rozenheim. He also learned the violin, and under Hauff the theory of music. His ability might have tempted him to become a virtuoso, but he fortunately preferred a different path, and at the Conservatorium of Leipsic, under Moscheles, Hauptmann, Rietz and Richter, during the years 1852–5 underwent a thorough musical education. He followed this up by a residence in Paris, where he was much esteemed as a teacher and player. Since then he has been successively at Saarbruck (1861); Cologne, as Professor of Pianoforte, Counterpoint, and Fugue (1865); Rotterdam, as conductor of the ' Eruditio Musica,' and of the Theatre (1874). His works consist of a Symphony, an Overture, a P.F. Concerto, 3 String Quartets, 3 P.F. ditto, several small works for Chorus and Orchestra, Songs, etc. His name is now well known in England, his trio for P.F. and Strings in F (op. 28) having been repeatedly given at the Popular Concerts, and a Quartet for ditto (op. 6) once, and other works at Chas. Halle's and other concerts. [App. p.646 "Add to list of works a symphony in G minor, and a cantata 'Salamis,' op. 13, which has recently been published by Novello & Co. with English words."]

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