Gustav Schreck

Gustav Ernst Schreck ( born September 8, 1849 in Zeulenroda, † January 22, 1918 in Leipzig ) was a German music teacher, composer and choirmaster of St. Thomas School in Leipzig from 1893 until 1918.

Life

Schreck in 1849 as son of a hosier - a then usual occupation in this region of Vogtland. The children sat at the knitting frame and contributed to the maintenance of the family at. The monotonous activity was punctuated by singing at work at home fright. The musical abilities of the child Gustav were encouraged by early piano lessons. From 1863 to 1867 he attended the teacher training college in Greiz and was music director of the Urban Prefect student Inge choir. After completion of training he was working temporarily as a village school teacher in Gommla and Remptendorf, but already in 1868 he moved to Leipzig to study music at the conservatory in Leipzig, among others, the cantor of St. Thomas Ernst Friedrich Richter. 1870 was followed by the 21 -year-old his brother to Vyborg in Finland and taught there as a music teacher four years at the German Gymnasium. Married to the poet Emmy Krohn, he returned as a freelance composer and musician in 1874 to Leipzig.

He composed chamber music and choral individual. During this time, two oratorios emerged: King Fjalar (originally from Runeberg arise ) and The Risen Christ, to which his wife wrote the lyrics. The world premieres at the Gewandhaus were concerned with rushing applause. In 1887, he was the teacher of theory and composition a reputation, which was founded by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy Conservatory, where he became professor in 1898 and worked until his retirement in 1917.

In May 1892, died Thomas Kantor Wilhelm Rust and the place was a year of the music teacher of the external, Bernhard Friedrich Richter, a son of the former incumbent, assisted until the choice fell on Gustav Schreck, which was introduced on 17 April 1893. He was aware of the responsibility that this meant " Kantor first place in the world". With great conscientiousness, he fulfilled the tasks set; his teaching skills, his great theoretical knowledge and knowledge of the Leipzig music scene were present ideal conditions.

The working conditions for the St. Thomas were exemplary after moving into the new building of school ( 1877) and Alumnat (1881 ). At the same time his contemporary Franz Emil Jungmann was rector of the school, an educated and open-minded music Neuhumanist, who campaigned for a broad field of his students.

The church music duties at St. Thomas and St. Nicholas Church were increasingly filled with fright, with works by Johann Sebastian Bach and other former Thomas cantors. Gustav Schreck began a series of choral stitching and the occasion of the 700th anniversary of the St. Thomas School, 1912, a concert was designed exclusively with works of Thomas cantors of Georg Rhau to fright. The role of the choir was enlarged, he was involved with choral and orchestral forces at the Gewandhaus concerts and the New Year's Concerts with Thomas Choir were for the annual highlight of the Gewandhaus season.

The artistic quality of the performances under management rose fright - his work was, among others, by the title of professor ( 1898) and an honorary doctorate (1909 ) recognized the University of Leipzig. Gustav Schreck dedicated the motet The Lord is my Shepherd Rector Jungmann 25 - years of service ( 1906). The festival cantatas for the 500th anniversary of the University (1909 ) and the 700th anniversary of the Schola Thomana were honorable commissions, which document his appreciation. The texts of the cantatas came back from his wife, who is also integrated by painting portraits of former Thomas cantors, which can still be seen today in the rehearsal hall of the Thomasalumnates, in the work of the man.

When Thomas Kantor himself fright was not satisfied with the replacement of historic instruments, he led the acquisition, construction or reconstruction of the oboe d' amore, Clarin trumpets and other instruments of Bach Orchestra. He dared to make music Cantatas unabridged and attacked while the practice of his predecessor and Bach scholar Rust on to occupy the solo parts in the soprano and alto with Thomas Choir.

Gustav Schreck was in 1900 a founding member of the New Bach Society. The Bach festivals this company will be held with regular participation of St. Thomas to the present day.

In 1887, Schreck taught composition and music theory at the Leipzig Conservatory, was in 1893 before he succeeds Wilhelm Rust took and was appointed choirmaster. This office he led until his death. Since 1901, Schreck was secretary founded a year before the New Bach Society. In 1909 he wrote the 500 - year celebration of the University of the festive cantata. In appearance, he also worked as arranger of popular songs for the folk songs 1906 book published for male chorus ( " Emperor 's Songbook ").

The St. Thomas Choir no longer came under his direction only in the Leipzig Thomas and St. Nicholas' Church on, but increasingly also in concerts at the Leipzig Gewandhaus. In his works, the prevailing contrapuntal technique and singable vocal leadership. From influences of Wagner and later Reger has Schreck largely kept free.

He was Knight 1st Class of the Order of Albrecht. On January 22, 1918 Schreck died at the age of 68 years in Leipzig. He was interred at the Leipzig Südfriedhof ( IV Department).

Works (selection)

Oratories

  • "King Fjalar ", " The Risen Christ "
  • The thirteenth psalm. Lord, O Lord, how long! I. lawsuit. Lord, how long wilt thou forget even mine?.
  • II Please. Enlighten my eyes
  • III.Zuversicht.Ich but I hope it

Chamber Music

  • Sonata for Bassoon and Piano, opus 9
  • Sonata for Oboe and Piano op.13
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