A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Damrosch, Leopold
[1]DAMROSCH, LEOPOLD, born at Posen, Prussia, Oct. 22, 1832. After a preliminary education at the gymnasium in his native town, he graduated at the Berlin University in 1854, with the degree of Doctor of Medicine. Showing decided musical tastes in early life, he determined, after his graduation, to abandon medicine and devote himself to the study of music, which was pursued by him with such success, at Berlin, that he was permitted to make a public appearance, as solo violinist, at Magdeburg, in 1855. After giving concerts in the principal German cities he was appointed (1857) by Liszt leading violinist in the court orchestra at Weimar, of which Liszt was then director. In 1858 Damrosch was appointed conductor of the Philharmonic Society of Breslau, where he manifested his admiration for Wagner's theories and for the new school of musical art in Germany. His programmes presented, together with the compositions by the older masters, works by Wagner, Liszt, and Berlioz—music not then widely admired or appreciated. In 1860 numerous engagements as solo violinist compelled him to withdraw from the Philharmonic Society. In 1861 he established the Orchester-Verein of Breslau, of which he remained director until 1871, when he went to New York on the invitation of the Arion Society. On the organization of the Oratorio Society (1873) and of the Symphony Society (1878) he was elected conductor of each, positions held by him, with that of conductor of the Arion (male voices) until his death. During the season 1876–77 he officiated as conductor of the Philharmonic Society's concerts.
Dr. Damrosch was mainly instrumental in the establishment of German opera at the Metropolitan Opera House, New York, and was its director-in-chief from Aug. 1884 until his death, Feb. 15, 1885. His last appearance in public was at a performance of 'Lohengrin,' Feb. 9. A son, Walter Damrosch, succeeded him in the direction of the Oratorio Society and Symphony Society, and was continued in the service of the opera company as assistant director. The following compositions have been published in Germany:—
Op.
1. Idylle and Mazurka; Vla. and PF.
2. Stimmungen; 3 pieces, Vln. and PF.
3. Improvisation on theme by Schumann: Vln.
4. Two Romanzas; Vln. and PF.
5. Five Songs.
6. Three Songs.
7. Three Songs.
8. Twelve Songs.
9. Concertstück. in form of serenade, four movements; Vln. and Orch. or PF.
10a. Romanza; Vln. and PF.
b. Six Songs.
11. Twelve Spanish Songs.
12. Romanza; Vln. and Orch. or PF.
13. Three Songs.
14. Three Songs.
15. Festival Overture; Orch.
16. Five Songs.
17. Five Songs.
18. Six Choruses; male voices.
19. Patriotic Songs.
Without opus number:—
Concerto; Vln. and Orch. or PF.
Nachtgesang; Vln. and Orch. or PF.
Capricietto; Vln. and Orch. or PF.
Brautgesang (Uhland); Tenor and Baritone Solos, Male Chorus, Orchestra.
Published in the United States, without opus number:—
Ruth and Naomi; Oratorio.
Saint Cecilia; collection of Anthems and other Church Music.
'Tell me where is Fancy bred'; Glee, Male voices.
Siegfried's Sword; Tenor Solo and Orchestra or PF.
'Thou, Who art God alone'; Masonic Song, Baritone Solo, Male Chorus and Orchestra.
Lexington Battle-Hymn; mixed chorus.
Two duets; Tenor and Baritone.
The Fisher-Boy (Schiller); Song, Soprano.
[ F. H. J. ]
- ↑ Copyright 1889 by F. H. Jenks