Background

Abt was born on December 22, 1819, in Eilenburg in Prussian Saxony, and showed musical talent at an early age. His father was a clergyman and a talented pianist.

Education

His father gave Franz his earliest instruction in music. Like his father, Abt was interested in both music and theology, and he followed both pursuits at the Thomasschule Leipzig and Leipzig University with the ultimate intention of becoming a member of the clergy.

Career

In 1837 Abt abandoned his theological studies and decided to concentrate entirely on music.

It is at this time that he began to compose and publish music, mostly works for the piano which were written for performance in Leipzig's salons.

In 1841 Abt became kapellmeister at Bernburg, then moved to Zurich in the same year where he became an immensely popular and skilled choirmaster, often conducting his own compositions.

While in Zurich he was appointed director of almost all of the city's numerous choral societies in succession, often winning prizes for them.

In 1852 Abt returned to Germany to become musical director at the court theater in Braunschweig where he served until 1882.

Abt also remained active as a choral conductor during his time in Braunschweig.

He was appointed director of the Hofkapelle in 1855, serving in that position for many years. He was also frequently invited to conduct choirs in many capital cities of Europe during the 1850s through the 1880s, having at this point developed an international reputation. He notably toured the U. S. in 1872 where he was received with overwhelming enthusiasm by music critics and the public alike.

By 1882, his busy schedule wore him down to a state of ill health and he was forced to retire to Wiesbaden where he died in 1885.

Achievements

• Franz Abt composed roughly 3, 000 individual works mostly in the area of vocal music. Several of his songs were at one time universally sung, and have obtained a more or less permanent place in the popular repertory. During his lifetime, Abt was a renowned choral conductor and he spent much of the last three decades of his life working as a guest conductor with choirs throughout Europe and in the United States. Franz Wilhelm Abt was erect a monument in 1960 in Braunschweig.

Works

More photos

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  • Practical Singing Tutor, Opus 474 (Complete): For Mezzo-Soprano or Contralto: 0 (Kalmus Edition)

    (A collection of vocal exercises arranged for Mezzo-Sopran...)

  • Sage mir, Vogel im grünen Wald - Score

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Sage mir, Vogel im grünen Wald -...)

  • Far o'er the stars there is rest

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Far o'er the stars there is rest...)

  • Wenn man beim Wein sitzt - Score

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Wenn man beim Wein sitzt - Score...)

  • O Lord, Most Holy (Ave Maria)

    ( Digital Sheet Music of O Lord, Most Holy (Ave Maria) C...)

  • He Giveth His Beloved Sleep

    ( Digital Sheet Music of He Giveth His Beloved Sleep Com...)

  • Practical Singing Tutor - Part 1, Section 1: Nos. 3-9

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Practical Singing Tutor - Part 1...)

  • Practical Singing Tutor - Part 1, Section 2: Nos. 10-16

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Practical Singing Tutor - Part 1...)

  • Practical Singing Tutor - Part 2, Section 2: Nos. 45-49

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Practical Singing Tutor - Part 2...)

  • Practical Singing Tutor - Part 1, Section 3: No. 24

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Practical Singing Tutor - Part 1...)

  • Practical Singing Tutor - Part 1, Section 3: No. 23

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Practical Singing Tutor - Part 1...)

  • Not a Sparrow Falleth

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Not a Sparrow Falleth Composed ...)

  • Birdie in the Cradle

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Birdie in the Cradle Composed b...)

  • Cäcilienwalzer: Notenausgabe (German Edition)

    (Hier erhältlich ist die Partitur des Titels für Gemischte...)

  • Practical Singing Tutor - Part 3: Nos. 15-20

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Practical Singing Tutor - Part 3...)

  • Practical Singing Tutor - Part 4: No. 2

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Practical Singing Tutor - Part 4...)

  • Practical Singing Tutor - Part 4: No. 12

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Practical Singing Tutor - Part 4...)

  • Practical Singing Tutor - Part 4: No. 8

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Practical Singing Tutor - Part 4...)

  • Practical Singing Tutor - Part 4: No. 7

    ( Digital Sheet Music of Practical Singing Tutor - Part 4...)

Membership

In Leipzig University with the ultimate intention of becoming a member of the clergy. Abbot was a member of the Freimaure, his Braunschweiger Loge Carl to the crowned column , he devoted several cantatas.

Connections

Friend:

Albert Lortzing

References

• Chambers Biographical Dictionary