A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Stiehl, Heinrich
STIEHL, Heinrich, born at Lübeck, Aug. 5, 1829, second son of T. D. Stiehl, an esteemed organist there. He studied at Lübeck and Weimar, and at Leipzig under Moscheles, Gade, and Hauptinann. In 1853 he settled in St. Petersburg as organist to the St. Peter's Church, and Director of the Sing-Akademie. In 1867 he moved to Vienna, and after staying there two years went on to Italy. In 1872 and 1873 he was in London, and from Oct. 1874 to 1877 resided in Belfast as conductor of the Philharmonic Society and founder of the Cecilia Society there. He then returned to London, and in 1880 was called to Reval in Russia, where he holds the leading position as professor of music, organist, and conductor of the Musical Society of the town, in which he is indefatigable and most successful in the revival, practice, and performance of the best music, and is universally liked and esteemed. He gave an excellent performance of Bach's Matthew-Passion (the first in Russia) on March 17, 1883, and repeated it at St. Petersburg April 6.
Stiehl's compositions are numerous. A little orchestral piece called 'The Vision' was produced at the Crystal Palace, April 12, 1873, and was much applauded for its delicate fanciful character. A 'Hexentanz,' 'Ungarisch,' Waltzes, and a Gavotte are also well known in Germany. He has published 3 PF. Trios, a Sonata for PF. and Cello, Sonata quasi Fantasia for PF. solo, and many others, the latest being 'Mosaik' for the Pianoforte, op. 161. [App. p.796 "Add that he died in May 1886."]