A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Volkmann, Friedrich

by George Grove

VOLKMANN, Friedrich Robert, born April 6, 1815, at Lommatsch in Saxony. His father, cantor and schoolmaster of the town, taught the boy music, with such effect that by the time he was twelve he took the services in church. He then had instruction from Friebel, the 'Town musician,' in violin and cello, and from Anacker, music-director of the Seminary at Freyberg. In 1836 he went to Leipzig, to study systematically, and made the acquaintance of C. F. Becker, and also of Schumann, who exercised great influence on him; in 1839 he published his first work, 'Phantasiebilder in Leipzig.' His next step was to visit Prague and enter on the career of teacher and composer. From 1854 to 1858 he resided at Vienna, but ended by taking up his permanent quarters in Pesth, where his principal works have been composed. These comprise 2 Symphonies, in D minor (op. 44), and B♭ (op. 53), a Festival overture in F^[1] (op. 50), 2 Serenades for Strings, ops. 62, 63; Concertos for Cello in A minor (op. 33), and PF. in C (op. 42); 2 PF. trios in F (op. 3), and B♭ minor (op. 5); String Quartets in A minor and G minor (op. 9), in G major (op. 14), in E minor (op. 34), in C minor (op. 35), and in E♭ (op. 37), and many works for piano, both 4 hands and solo. His vocal compositions are also numerous:—2 Masses for male voices (op. 28, 29); 3 sacred songs for mixed choir (op. 38); old German hymn for 2 choirs of male voices (op. 64); 'Sappho,' dramatic scene for soprano solo and orchestra (op. 49); 'An die Nacht,' for alto solo and orchestra; songs for solo voice and piano, etc. The overture to his 'Music to Shakespeare's Richard the Third' (op. 73), was performed at the Crystal Palace Oct. 30, 1875—the Scotch air "The Campbells are coming' being introduced as 'an old English war-song.' A later composition is a 'Schlummerlied' for harp, clarinet and horn, which is mentioned as op. 76 in Hofmeister's List for 1883.

As a pianoforte composer Volkmann belongs to the romantic school. His compositions often bear fanciful titles, but they are poetical, and moreover so strongly marked with Hungarian characteristics that he may truly be said to have borrowed colour, rhythm, and embellishments from his adopted home. His two Symphonies, his Quartets in G minor and A minor, his PF. Trio in B♭ minor, have been acknowledged in high terms by critics in Germany. His Cello Concerto is also a favourite and excellent work. In England he is little known, though his G minor Quartet has been given at the Monday Popular Concerts, and his two Overtures at the Crystal Palace, and sundry of his PF. pieces by different artists in their recitals. [App. p.813 "Add date of death, Oct. 29–30, 1883."]

[ G. ]

1. Played at Crystal Palace, Oct. 3. 1898.