A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Commer, Franz

by Alfred Maczewski

COMMER, Franz, born Jan. 23, 1813, at Cologne, a pupil of Joseph Klein, Leibl, Rungenhagen, A. W. Bach, and A. B. Marx; librarian to the 'Königliche Musik-Institut,' choir-master at the Catholic church of St. Hedwig in Berlin (1846), member of the 'Akademie der Künste,' and joint-founder with Theodor Kullak of the Berlin 'Ton-Künstler-Verein.' He is best known as the editor of the following important works:—'Collectio operum musicorum Batavorum saeculi XVI,' 12 vols.; 'Musica sacra XVI, XVII, saeculorum,' 13 vols., containing organ-pieces, masses and motets for men's voices and full choir; 'Collection de compositions pour l'orgue des XVI, XVII, XVIII siecles,' 6 parts. 'Cantica sacra … aus den XVI–XVIII Jahrh." 2 vols. Commer has also composed some church music, Lieder and dances for pianoforte. [App. p.595 adds "date of death, Aug. 17, 1887, and that 14 vols. of 'Musica Sacra' have now appeared, of which only the earlier volumes were edited by Commer."]

[ A. M. ]