HEIL DIR IM SIEGERKRANZ. A German national song, written by Heinrich Harries, a Holstein clergyman, for the birthday of Christian VII of Denmark, and published in the Flensburg Wochenblatt of Jan. 27, 1790, 'to the melody of the English God save great George the King.' It was originally in 8 stanzas, but was reduced to five and otherwise slightly modified for Prussian use by B. G. Schumacher, and in this form appeared as a 'Berliner Volkslied' in the Spenersche Zeitung of Dec. 17, 1793.[1] The first stanza of the hymn in its present form is as follows:—
'Heil Dir im Siegerkranz,
Herrscher des Vaterland's,
Heil König Dir!
Fühl' in des Thrones Glanz,
Die hohe Wonne ganz,
Liebling des Volks zu sein
Heil König Dir!'
HEIMKEHR AUS DER FREMDE. [Son and Stranger.]
HELLER, STEPHEN, born May 15, 1815, at Pesth, is an accomplished pianist, and author of a large number of pieces for his instrument, mostly on a small scale, but generally elegant in form and refined in diction. He has for the last twenty-five years enjoyed great popularity amongst cultivated amateurs in France and England. His first publication was a set of Variations in 1829, and his latest (Jan. 1879) is a Sonatina (op. 147). Next to his numerous Etudes and Preludes, the best of his publications consist of several series of morceaux put forth under quaint titles, such as 'Promenades d'un Solitaire' (taken from Rousseau's letters on Botany), 'Blumen-Frucht-und-Dornen Stücke' (from Jean Paul), 'Dans les Bois,' 'Nuits blanches,' etc. A 'Saltarello' on a phrase from Mendelssohn's Italian symphony (op. 77), five Tarantellas (op. 53, 61, 85, 87), a Caprice on Schubert's 'Forelle' (known as La Truite), are pieces wherein Heller rings the changes on his stock of musical material with delicate ingenuity, and exhibits less of that wearisome reiteration of some short phrase, without either development or attempt at attractive variety in treatment, which of late has grown into mannerism with him. He has also put forth four[2] solo sonatas which have left no trace, and, together with Ernst the violinist, a set of 'Pensées fugitives' for piano and violin, which have met with great and deserved success amongst dilletante players.
Having appeared in public at Pesth at an early age, he made a tour through Germany, and settled for some years at Augsburg, where after a prolonged illness he found ample leisure to pursue his studies. Since 1838 he has resided in Paris, rarely playing in public, but much esteemed as a teacher and composer. He visited England in 1862, and played at the Crystal Palace with Halle on May 3 in Mozart's Concerto in E flat for 2 Pianos. His 'Life and Works' are the subjects of a monograph by H. Barbedette, translated into English by Rev. R. Brown Borthwick, 1877. [App. p.671 "Add that he came to England in February, 1850, and appeared at a concert at the Beethoven Rooms, on May 15 of that year. He stayed until August. Add also date of death, Jan, 14, 1888."]
[ E. D. ]
HELLMESBERGER, a distinguished family of musicians in Vienna. Georg, the father, born April 24, 1800, son of a country schoolmaster, and chorister in the court chapel, entered the Conservatorium of the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde and learnt the violin from Böhm and composition from E. Förster. In 1821 he was appointed assistant teacher, and in 1833 professor at the Conservatorium, where he formed a host of distinguished pupils, including his two sons, until he retired on a pension in 67. In 1829 he became conductor of the Imperial opera, and in 1830 a member of the court chapel. This unassuming man, who lived only for his art, was leader at innumerable concerts, published many compositions for his instrument, and died universally respected at Neuwaldegg on Aug. 16, 1873. His eldest son Georg, born in Vienna, 1828 (?), made a successful concert-tour through Germany and England with his father and brother in 1847, but chiefly devoted himself to composition, which he studied under Rotter. When barely 21 he was appointed concert-meister at Hanover, where he brought out two operas, 'Bürgschaft' and 'Die beide Königinnen.' He died Nov. 12, 1852, leaving numerous MSS. His brother
Joseph, born Nov. 3, 1828 [App. p.671 "the generally accepted date of birth, 1829, is possibly right"], early displayed a great faculty for music, and appeared in public with applause as an infant prodigy. In spite of his youth he was appointed violin professor and director of the Conservatorium, when it was reconstituted in 1852, and professional conductor of the Gesellschaft concerts. He resigned the latter post in favour of Herbeck in 1859, and the professorship in 1877, but still retains the post of director, with signal advantage to the institution. In 1860 he was appointed concertmeister at the Imperial opera, in 63 first violin solo in the court chapel, and in 77 chief capellmeister to the emperor. The quartet parties which he has led since 1849 have maintained their attraction undiminished in spite of all rivalry. The repertoire is large, and his performances were the first to awaken general interest in Beethoven's later quartets. The fine tone, grace, and poetic feeling which mark Hellmesberger's execution as a solo and quartet player, are equally conspicuous in the orchestra, of which he is a brilliant leader. To these qualities he adds perfect familiarity with every instrument in the orchestra, and considerable skill as a pianist. He received the Legion of Honour for his services as a juror in the Paris Exhibition of 1855! and many other orders, both of his own and other countries, have since been conferred on him. On the 35th anniversary of his directorship of the Conservatorium he was presented with the freedom of the city of Vienna. His son Joseph, born April 9, 1855, inherits the family talent, and has played second violin in his father's quartet since 1875. He has been since 78 solo player at the court opera and chapel, and professor at the Conservatorium. [App. p.671 "Add that Joseph Hellmesberger, junior, has recently brought out two operas in Vienna, 'Rikiki' and 'Die verwandelte Katze.'"]
[ C. F. P. ]
HELMHOLTZ, Hermann Ludwig Ferdinand, was born Aug. 31, 1821, at Potsdam. His father was Professor at the Gymnasium
