A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Ritter, Frederic

by F. H. Jenks

RITTER, Frederic Louis, born at Strasburg, 1834. His paternal ancestors were Spanish, and the family name was originally Caballero. His musical studies were begun at an early age under Hauser and Schletterer, and continued at Paris (whither he was sent when 16 years of age) under the supervision of his cousin, Georges Kastner. Possessed with the idea that beyond the Rhine he would find better opportunities for the study of composition, he ran away to Germany, where he remained for two years, assiduously pursuing his studies with eminent musicians, and attending concerts whenever good music could be heard. Returning to Lorraine, aged 18, he was nominated professor of music in the Protestant seminary of Fénéstrange, and invited to conduct a Société de Concerts at Bordeaux. The representations made by some of his family who had settled in America induced him to visit the New World. He spent a few years in Cincinnati, where his enthusiasm worked wonders in the development of taste. The Cecilia (choral) and Philharmonic (orchestral) Societies were established by him, and a large number of important works presented at their concerts for the first time in the United States. In 1862 ritter went to New York, becoming conductor of the Sacred Harmonic Society for seven years, and of the Arion Choral Society (male voices), and instituting (1867) the first musical festival held in that city. In 1867 he was appointed director of the musical department of Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, whither he removed in 1874 on resigning his conductorships. The University of the City of New York conferred on him the degree of Doctor of Music in 1878. He still retains (1881) the directorship of the musical studies at Vassar College. ritter's literary labours have included articles on musical topics printed in French, German and American periodicals. His most important work is 'A History of Music, in the Form of Lectures'—vol. i. 1870; vol. ii. 1874, Boston; both republished by W. Reeves, London, 1876; vol. iii. is in preparation. As a composer, Ritter may be classed with the modern Franco-German school.

The following works have appeared in the catalogues of Hamburg, Leipzig, Mayence and New York publishers:—

Op.	1.	'Hafts,' cyclus of Persian songs.
	2.	Preambule Scherzo. PF.
	3.	10 children's songs.
	4.	Fairy Love.
	5.	8 PF. pieces.
	6.	6 songs.
	7.	5 choruses, male voices.
	8.	Psalm xxiii, female voices.
	10.	5 songs. 10 Irish Melodies, with new PF. acct.
	11.	Organ fantasia and fugue.
	12.	Voices of the Night, PF.
O Salutaris.' baritone, organ.
'Ave Maria,' mezzo-sopr., organ.
'Parting.' song, mezzo-soprano.
A Practical Method for the Instruction of Chorus-classes.

The following are his most important unpublished compositions:

3 Symphonies—A, E minor, E♭.
'Stella,' Poeme-symphonique, d'après V. Hugo.
Overture. 'Othello.'
Concerto, PF. and orch.
Fantasia, bass clarinet and orch.
1 string quartet; 3 do.
Psalm xlvi, solo, chor. and orch.

All of the above were produced at the concerts of the New York and Brooklyn Philharmonic Societies, 1867–1876.

Dr. Ritter's wife, née Raymond, is known under the name of Fanny Raymond Ritter as an author and translator of works on musical subjects. She has brought out translations of Ehlert's 'Letters on Music, to a Lady'; and of Schumann's Essays and Criticisms—'Music and Musicians'; and a pamphlet entitled 'Women as a Musician'—all published by Reeves, London. [App. p.772 "Add that Mme. Ritter has recently brought out a second series of the Essays and Criticisms of Schumann, and has written a sketch entitled 'Some Famous Songs.' "]

[ F. H. J. ]