Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Hecht, Eduard
HECHT, EDUARD (1832–1887), musician, son of Heinrich Hecht, a musician and teacher of singing at Frankfort, was born on 28 Nov. 1832 at Dürkheim-on-the-Haardt, Rhenish Bavaria. As a child he studied music under his father, and subsequently under Jacob Rosenhain, I. Christian Hauff, and F. Mosser. In November 1854 he came to England, and settled in Manchester as a pianoforte teacher. Associated with Mr. (now Sir) Charles Hallé in his concerts from an early date, he acted as his chorus-master from 1870, and afterwards as sub-conductor. In addition to a large private practice as singing and pianoforte master, he was conductor of the Manchester Liedertafel from 1859 to 1878; was conductor of the St. Cecilia Choral Society from 1860, and conductor of the Stretford Choral Society from 1879. He became in 1875 lecturer on harmony and composition at Owens College, and was conductor of the Bradford and Halifax Musical Society. A man of artistic instinct and energy, he composed many well-known works, which extend to Op. 28. Among them are a symphony played at Hallé's concerts, a chorus, ‘The Charge of the Light Brigade,’ ‘Eric the Dane,’ a cantata, pianoforte pieces, part-songs, trios, two string quartets, marches for military band, &c. He died suddenly at Manchester on 6 March 1887.
[Grove's Dict. of Music and Musicians, iv. 670; Manchester Evening News, 7 March 1887; private information.]