Herrmann, Gottfried

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Herrmann, Gottfried

Herrmann, Gottfried, German pianist, organist, violinist, conductor, and composer; b. Sondershausen, May 15, 1808; d. Lübeck, June 6, 1878. He first studied violin with his father, and then was a pupil of Seebach (piano) and Miihling (piano and organ); he later studied with Spohr (violin), Hauptmann (theory and composition), and Aloys Schmitt. In 1827 he became 1st violinist in the Hannover Hofkapelle, and then a violinist in the Frankfurt am Main city orch. in 1829. In 1832 he went to Lübeck as deputy organist of the Marienkirche. In 1833 he was promoted to organist and also was made music director of the city. In 1844 he went to Sondershausen as Royal Kapellmeister. In 1852 he returned to Lübeck as conductor. As an instrumentalist and conductor, Herrmann championed the music of many of his contemporaries. Among his own works were operas, syms., concertos, and chamber pieces.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire