A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Cotta, Johannes

by Russel Martineau

COTTA, Johannes, who died at Willerstedt in 1868, is worthy of mention as composer of the spirited music for four male voices to Arndt's patriotic song, which electrified Germany at the time of the rising against Napoleon in 1813, 'Des Deutschen Vaterland,' commencing 'Was ist des Deutschen Vaterland.' The same song was skilfully set, but with undesirable complexity, by G. Reichardt in 1826. But Cotta's tune is the one wedded to the poem from the beginning, and during the period of enthusiasm for the new national idea.

[ R. M. ]