A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Kind, Johann Friedrich

by George Grove

KIND, Johann Friedrich, author of the words of Der Freischütz; born at Leipsic March 4, 1768; brought up to the law, but frequented the Thomas School of his own accord. He began to practise literature as early as 1800, and after much success with novels and tales, settled in 1814 at Dresden, became a Hofrath, and definitely renounced the law for a literary life. Here Weber met him, at the house of von Nordstern. About Feb. 15, 1817, Kind read to him his 'Vandyck's Landleben,' which so pleased the composer that he at once consulted hun as to an opera -book. The choice of a source fell on Apel's 'Gespensterbuch' (Ghost Stories). Weber had several years before been attached to the story of the Freischütz, and so entirely did his enthusiasm communicate itself to Kind, that by the evening of Feb. 23, he had completed the first act of the opera. Freischütz was the only important joint composition of the two, but Julius's catalogue contains 11 other pieces the words of which were supplied by Kind. The chief of these is the 'Jubel Cantata,' another cantata called 'Natur und Liebe,' 5 songs, 2 part-songs, and a chorus. Some of these were taken from operas of Kind's—'Der Weinberg an der Elbe,' 'Der Abend am Waldbrunnen,' and 'Das Nachtlager in Granada.' The last of these was set to music by Conradin Kreutzer. Kind seems to have supplied Spanish materials for Preciosa, and Weber had two librettos by him—Alcindor, 1819, and Der Cid, 1821—under consideration, but Freischütz is the one which Weber adopted in full. Kind's 'Holzdieb' (Wood-thief) was composed by Marschner in 1824. He died at Dresden June 25, 1843, having for many years quite forsaken literature. He is described by Weber's son as a small person, with a great opinion of himself and a harsh voice. 2 vols of his works were published, Leipzig, 1821.

[ G. ]