The New International Encyclopædia/Radecke, Robert

RADECKE, rä'dĕ-ke, Robert (1830—). A German composer. He was born in Dittmannsdorf, in Silesia, and received his musical training in the Conservatory of Leipzig. In 1853 he became musical director of the Court Theatre of that city. He removed to Berlin soon after, played second violin in Laub's quartet, and gave many successful concerts. He was made royal Kapellmeister in 1871, and in 1891 succeeded Haupt as director of the Royal Institute for Church Music. An artist of ability on pianoforte, organ, and violin, Radecke is best known for his compositions, which include two orchestral overtures, König Johann and Am Strande; the operetta Die Mönkgüter (1824); and, above all, for his many songs.