A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Türk, Daniel

TÜRK, Daniel Theophil, writer on theory, born at Clausswitz near Chemnitz in Saxony, son of a musician in the service of Count Schonburg, learned first from his father, and afterwards from Homilius at the Kreuzschule in Dresden. In 1772 he went to the University of Leipzig, where he became the pupil and friend of J. A. Hiller, who procured his admittance to the opera, and the 'Grosses Concert.' About this period he produced two symphonies and a cantata. In 1776, owing to Hiller's influence, he became Cantor of S. Ulrich at Halle, and Musikdirector of the University. In 1779 he was made organist of the Frauenkirche. Turk was the author of several books on the theory of music which have become recognised text-books: 'The chief duties of an Organist' (1787); 'Clavierschule' (1789), and a Method for beginners compiled from it (1792); and 'Short Instructions for playing from figured basses' (1791); all of which passed through several editions. In 1808 he was made Doctor and Professor of Musical Theory by the University. He died after a long illness, Aug. 26, 1813. His compositions—PF. sonatas and pieces, and a cantata 'The Shepherds of Bethlehem,'—once popular, have wholly disappeared.

[ F. G. ]