A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Dorn, Heinrich

by Franz Gehring

DORN, Heinrich, Ludwig, Edmund, a very considerable musician of modern Germany, born at Königsberg, Prussia, Nov. 14, 1804. His turn for music showed itself early, and was duly encouraged and assisted, but not so as to interfere with his general education. He went through the curriculum of the Königsberg University, and after visiting Dresden (where he made Weber's acquaintance) and other towns of Germany, fixed himself at Berlin in 1824 or 25, and set seriously to work at music under Zelter, Klein, and L. Berger, mixing in the abundant intellectual and musical life which at that time distinguished Berlin, when Rahel, Heine, Mendelssohn, Klingemann, Marx, Spontini, Devrient, Moscheles, Reissiger, and many more, were among the elements of society. With Spontini and Marx he was very intimate, and lost no opportunity of defending the former with his pen. At Berlin he brought out an opera, 'Die Rolandsknappen,' with success. In 1817 he left Berlin, and after travelling for some time returned to his native place as conductor of the theatre. In 1829 he went to Leipzig in the same capacity, and remained there till 32. During this time he had the honour of giving instruction in counterpoint to Schumann. After leaving Leipzig, his next engagements were at the theatres of Hamburg and Riga, in the latter place succeeding Wagner. During the whole of this time he added much teaching to his regular duties, and exercised an excellent influence on the musical life of the places in which he lived. At Riga he remained till 1843, when he was called to succeed C. Kreutzer at Cologne. During the five years of his residence there he was fully occupied, directing the Festivals of 44 and 47, founding the Rheinische Musikschule (1845), and busying himself much about music, in addition to the duties of his post and much teaching. In 47 [App. p.617 "49"] he succeeded O. Nicolai as conductor of the Royal Opera in Berlin, in conjunction with Taubert. This post he retained till the end of 68, when he was pensioned off in favour of Eckert, and became a 'Königlicher Professor.' Since then he has occupied himself in teaching and writing, in both which capacities he has a great reputation in Berlin. Dorn is of the conservative party, and a bitter opponent of Wagner. He is musical editor of the Post, and writes also in the Gartenlaube and the Hausfreund. His account of his career, 'Aus meinem Leben' (Berlin, 1870, 2 vols.) and 'Ostracismus' (Ib. 74), are both valuable books. A paper of his on Mendelssohn appeared in 'Temple Bar' for February 1872. His compositions embrace 10 operas, of which 'Die Nibelungen' (1854) is the most remarkable; a requiem (1851); many cantatas; symphonies and other orchestral works; many pianoforte pieces, songs, etc. As a conductor he was one of the first of his day, with every quality of intelligence, energy, tact, and industry, to fill that difficult position.

[ F. G. ]