Friedrich Heinrich Himmel

Friedrich Heinrich Himmel ( born November 20, 1765 in Treuenbrietzen, Mark Brandenburg, † June 8, 1814 in Berlin) was a German composer and pianist.

Life

His musical talent was recognized early, as a boy, he was in his hometown of organ and piano lessons at the local organ. Heaven studied theology in Halle since 1785, did there but mainly as a piano virtuoso forth. He applied as a military chaplain to Potsdam, which gave him the opportunity in front of the Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm II to play.

This was impressed by his skills and allowed sky over a scholarship in Dresden Johann Gottlieb Naumann to study music. After being in 1792 his oratorio Isaac could perform in Berlin, the king appointed him court composer and allowed him simultaneously to go to Italy to perform several operas. After his return he was appointed in 1795 to Johann Friedrich Reichardt's location to the royal Kapellmeister.

Successful and impressive he was primarily as a piano virtuoso, giving him continue procured the favor of Frederick William II, his family and his chamberlain. This he tried to get through intrigue. Due to its complex and unsound conduct of life he was constantly in financial difficulties, so he met at the court even open hostility, he was accused of debauchery and drunkenness.

As a composer he was only moderately successful; deems to be often already by his contemporaries as superficial works include several operas and musical comedies, numerous songs, piano pieces and a few orchestral works. Only the opera Fanchon, the Leyermädchen ( text by August von Kotzebue to a French Vaudeville ) was able to record on the German stage with some success, but disappeared in the mid 19th century by the game plans, also found some of his mainly patriotic and religiously held songs in 19th century entrance to the school song books. Abroad, he has remained largely unknown. He made ​​numerous concert tours around Italy, St. Petersburg and Stockholm, always with the intention to gain by performance of his reputation and income compositions. This, too, was only moderate success. Beethoven, who met him during his stay in Berlin, ruled over him: he own a very unique talent but nothing further.

Sky was a Freemason; he was, inter alia, 1807 during the recording of Louis Spohr present at the compass in Gotha in the box Ernst.

Heaven died after a long illness at the dropsy.

Works (selection)

Operas

  • Isaac a type of the Redeemer (1792 )
  • Il Primo Navigatore, Pastoral ( 1794)
  • La Morte di Semiramide (1795 )
  • Fanchon or Leyermädel, Singspiel (1804 )
  • The sylphs (1808 )
  • The leprechaun, Singspiel (1814 )

Songs

  • At Alexis I send to you
  • Lord's prayer
  • Prayer During the battle, "Father, I call you!"
  • The flower and the butterfly, song cycle
Comédie en vaudeville Allgemeine Deutsche Biographie Musik in Geschichte und Gegenwart Neue Deutsche Biographie Integrated Authority File
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