A. showed musical talent at an early age. His father was a clergyman and a talented pianist, and it is he who gave Franz his earliest instruction in music. Like his father, A. was interested in both music and theology, and he followed both pursuits at the Thomasschule Leipzig and Leipzig University with the ultimate intention of becoming a member of the clergy. While in school, A. became friends with Albert Lortzing, Felix Mendelssohn, and Robert Schumann.
Upon the death of his father in 1837, A. abandoned his theological studies and decided to concentrate entirely on music. It is at this time that he began to compose and publish music, mostly works for the piano which were written for performance in Leipzig's salons. In 1841 A. became Kapellmeister at Bernburg, then moved to Zurich in the same year where he became an immensely popular and skilled choirmaster, often conducting his own compositions. While in Zurich he was appointed director of almost all the city's numerous choral societies in succession, often winning prizes for them. In 1852 A. returned to Germany to become musical director at the court theatre in Braunschweig where he served until 1882.
A. also remained active as a choral conductor during his time in Braunschweig. He was appointed director of the Hoftheater Braunschweig in 1855, serving in that position for many years. He was also frequently invited to conduct choirs in many capital cities of Europe during the 1850s through the 1880s, having at this point developed an international reputation. He notably toured the United States of America in 1872 where he was received with overwhelming enthusiasm by music critics and the public alike. By 1882, his busy schedule wore him down to a state of ill health and he retired to Wiesbaden where he died.
Contributor: K (49652110)∼Abt attended the Thomasschule and the University of Leipzig. He conducted in Zurich, Switzerland, and in Brunswick. In 1872, he traveled to America for a successful performing tour. He wrote over 3,000 works during his life.
A. showed musical talent at an early age. His father was a clergyman and a talented pianist, and it is he who gave Franz his earliest instruction in music. Like his father, A. was interested in both music and theology, and he followed both pursuits at the Thomasschule Leipzig and Leipzig University with the ultimate intention of becoming a member of the clergy. While in school, A. became friends with Albert Lortzing, Felix Mendelssohn, and Robert Schumann.
Upon the death of his father in 1837, A. abandoned his theological studies and decided to concentrate entirely on music. It is at this time that he began to compose and publish music, mostly works for the piano which were written for performance in Leipzig's salons. In 1841 A. became Kapellmeister at Bernburg, then moved to Zurich in the same year where he became an immensely popular and skilled choirmaster, often conducting his own compositions. While in Zurich he was appointed director of almost all the city's numerous choral societies in succession, often winning prizes for them. In 1852 A. returned to Germany to become musical director at the court theatre in Braunschweig where he served until 1882.
A. also remained active as a choral conductor during his time in Braunschweig. He was appointed director of the Hoftheater Braunschweig in 1855, serving in that position for many years. He was also frequently invited to conduct choirs in many capital cities of Europe during the 1850s through the 1880s, having at this point developed an international reputation. He notably toured the United States of America in 1872 where he was received with overwhelming enthusiasm by music critics and the public alike. By 1882, his busy schedule wore him down to a state of ill health and he retired to Wiesbaden where he died.
Contributor: K (49652110)∼Abt attended the Thomasschule and the University of Leipzig. He conducted in Zurich, Switzerland, and in Brunswick. In 1872, he traveled to America for a successful performing tour. He wrote over 3,000 works during his life.
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