Ernst Ludwig Gerber

Ernst Ludwig Gerber ( born September 29, 1746 Special Hausen, † June 30, 1819 ) was a German composer, who has become known as the author of composers lexicons.

Life

Ernst Ludwig received his first music lessons from his father, Heinrich Nicolaus Gerber. In 1765 he began his law studies in Leipzig, but devoted himself primarily to composition. 1768 for the first time one of his works has been performed in public. In the same year he returned to Sondershausen, where he became a music teacher of the royal children. In 1775 he took over the post of organist of his father. In the following years he occupied himself with the study of music history, and finally published his Historical and Biographical Dictionary of Musicians, which he later replaced by improved and enlarged edition. In addition, he has published articles in several music magazines. In 1794 he was nominated for his services to the court secretary of the Prince of Schwarzburg- Sondershausen. He died unmarried in 1819 in his hometown.

Gerber's writings as a source for modern music research of importance. Especially at the German composer found in his lexicons detailed information. The archives of the Society of Friends of Music in Vienna, selling his extensive library to the tanners, home to many of his writings.

Works

Dictionaries:

• Historical and Biographical Dictionary of Musicians in two volumes (1790 and 1792)
• New historical and biographical dictionary of Musicians in four volumes (1812, 1812, 1813 and 1814)

Compositions (selection ):

• Dearest Jesus, we are here (chorale prelude for organ)