Background
Zundel was born in the village of Hochdorf a der Enz in what was then the Kingdom of Württemberg, Germany.
Zundel was born in the village of Hochdorf a der Enz in what was then the Kingdom of Württemberg, Germany.
He attended the Royal Academy at Esslingen, Württemberg, from 1829 to 1831, then he began teaching at the local school in Birkach, Germany. During this time, Zundel studied the violin with a pupil of Bernhard Molique. Also he studied the organ first with J.G. French and then with Heinrich Rinck.
Zundel was perhaps best known for his hymn BEECHER, widely used in American hymnals with "Love Divine" by Charles Wesley. In 1833 he was appointed a teacher of music in Esslingen. The lieutenant was the first organ concert ever given on Russian soil.
He remained in Saint St. Petersburg for seven years. Intending to give organ concerts, Zundel emigrated to the United States in 1847. Unable to find suitable instruments for concerts, he settled in as a church organist. Employed first at the Unitarian Church of Brooklyn under Reverend Farnley in 1848, he was then hired by Henry Ward Beecher in 1850 as music director and organist for Brooklyn"s Plymouth Church. Zundel remained at Plymouth Church a total of 28 years, interrupted twice to travel and to serve briefly in nearby churches.