A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Goldschmidt, Otto

GOLDSCHMIDT, Otto, pianist, composer, and conductor, born Aug. 21, 1829, at Hamburg, where his father and grandfather resided as merchants; studied the piano and harmony under Jacob Schmitt and F. W. Grund. At the age of 14 he entered the Leipzig Conservatorium, where amongst his fellow students were Joachim and von Bülow [App. p.651 "note that Joachim and von Bülow, though studying at Leipzig, were not in the Conservatorium"]. From 1843 to 46 he studied the piano and composition as a pupil in Mendelssohn's class. In 1848 he was sent to Paris, with the view of continuing his studies under Chopin, whose acquaintance he made, and was present at the last concert given by him in the Salle Pleyel. He came to England in 1848, and in the following year played at the Musical Union, and at a concert of Mlle. Lind's at H. M. Theatre. In 1851 he went to America, succeeding Mr. Benedict as conductor of a series of concerts given by Mlle. Lind. He married that lady at Boston, U.S.A., on Feb. 5, 1852. From 53 to November 55 he and his wife resided at Dresden, and since 58 have lived in or near London. He conducted the Festivals held at Düsseldorf and Hamburg in 1863 and 66, and in 63 was appointed Vice-Principal of the Royal Academy of Music, then presided over by Sir Sterndale Bennett, with whom he edited 'The Chorale Book for England,' a collection of Chorales set to translations of German hymns by Miss C. Winkworth (Longmans, 1863). He composed the Oratorio 'Ruth' for the Hereford Festival of 1867, and it was subsequently performed in London, Düsseldorf, and Hamburg. He wrote additional accompaniments for Handel's 'Allegro' and 'Penseroso,' as well as for the 'Ode to St. Cecilia's Day,' and introduced these works for the first time in their entirety to English and German audiences since Handel's death. In 1875 the Bach Choir, an association of amateurs, was formed under his direction. At its first concert on April 26, 76, Bach's Mass in B minor, with additional accompaniments by Mr. Goldschmidt, was performed for the first time in England. The marked success of that performance, and the subsequent prosperity of the Choir, are due in a large measure to the earnestness and devotion of the conductor. Besides his Oratorio Mr. Goldschmidt has published a Pianoforte Concerto; a ditto Trio; Pianoforte Studies; Songs, and Part-songs. In 1861 he was elected Honorary Member of the Philharmonic Society, in 64 a Member of the Swedish Royal Academy of Music, and in 76 the King of Sweden conferred on him the Royal Order of Wasa.

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