A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Anacker, August

by George Grove

ANACKER, August Friedrich, born Oct. 17, 1790, at Freiberg in Saxony, son of a very poor shoemaker. As a scholar at the Gymnasium his musical faculty soon discovered itself, but his poverty kept him down, and it was not till a prize of 1300 thalers in a lottery fell to his share that he was able to procure a piano and music. The first piece he heard performed was Beethoven's Polonaise in C, and Beethoven became his worship through life. In 1813, after the battle of Leipsic, he went to that university, and acquired the friendship of Schicht, F. Schneider, and others of the best musicians. In 1822 he was made 'cantor' of his native place, and principal music-teacher in the normal school. From that time onwards for thirty years his course was one of ceaseless activity. No one ever worked harder or more successfully to make his office a reality. In 1823 he founded the Singakademie of Freiberg, and in 1830 started a permanent series of first-class subscription concerts; he formed a musical association among the miners of the Berg district, for whom he wrote numerous part-songs; and in short was the life and soul of the music of the place. At the same time he composed a mass of music of all kinds and all dimensions. But his music is nothing remarkable: it is the energy and devotion of the man that will make him remembered. He died at his post on August 21, 1854, full of honour and esteem. The only piece of Anacker's which has probably been printed in England is a 'Miner's Song' (four parts) in the collection called 'Orpheus,' No. 41.

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