Koessler or Kössler, Hans

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Koessler or Kössler, Hans

Koessler or Kössler, Hans, German pedagogue and composer; b. Waldeck, Jan. 1, 1853; d. Ansbach, May 23, 1926. After serving as organist in Neumarkt, Ober-pfallz (1871–74), he studied with Rheinberger and Wüll-ner at the Munich Königliche Musikschule. He taught theory and choral singing at the Dresden Cons. (1877–81), and also conducted the Dresden Liedertafel (1879–82) and at the Cologne Theater (1880–82). In 1882 he settled in Budapest as a teacher of organ and choral music at the Royal Academy of Music; then taught composition there (1883–1908), subsequently heading its master classes (1920–25). Among his outstanding students were Bartók, Kodâly, and Dohnânyi. He himself was best known as a composer for his choral works.

Works

Der Münzenfranz, opera (Strasbourg, 1903); 2 syms.; Symphonic Variations (1909); Violin Concerto (1914); Cello Concerto; chamber music; Triumph der Liebe, oratorio (1897); choral pieces; songs.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire