A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Rheinberger, Joseph
RHEINBERGER, Joseph, born March 17, 1859 [App. p.772 "1839"], at Vaduz, the capital of the principality of Liechtenstein. He was so precocious that he began to learn the pianoforte at the age of five; at seven years old he was organist at the church of his native place, where, as his legs were too short to reach down to the pedals, a second set of pedals was fixed above the ordinary ones; and very shortly afterwards he composed a mass in three parts with organ accompaniment. His first teacher was Herr Pohly, who still resides and teaches in the Tyrol. At the age of twelve Rheinberger was sent to the Munich Conservatorium, where he studied until he was nineteen, under Herzog, Leonhard, and J. J. Maier; he was then appointed pianoforte teacher in the same institution, and, about the same time, became organist in the Hofkirche of St. Michael, and subsequently Director of the Munich Oratorienverein. He is at present professor of counterpoint and of the higher school of organ-playing in the Royal School of Music, and conductor of the court band (not of the opera) at Munich. Up to the present time he has published 116 compositions, among which are—2 symphonies, 'Wallenstein' and 'Florentinische Sinfonie'; 2 operas, 'Die sieben Raben' and 'Thürmer's Tochterlein'; incidental music to a drama of Calderon's, and to one of Raimond's; several overtures, 'The Taming of the Shrew,' 'Demetrius,' etc.; many pianoforte works; a concerto for piano and orchestra; much chamber music and church music (among the latter a Grand Requiem for those who fell in the war of 1870–71), a Stabat Mater and a Mass in 8 parts (dedicated to Pope Leo XIII.); 5 organ sonatas, and various works for chorus and for male voices. Many of his pupils have attained eminence in their profession. His Quartet in E♭ (op. 38) for PF. and strings is a favourite work at the Monday Popular Concerts, and has been performed there almost annually since 1874. A Sonata for PF. and violin in the same key (op. 77) has also been played there.
[App. p.772 "Among his works are to be mentioned the following, besides those referred to in the article. Two large compositions for solos, chorus and orchestra, 'Christoforus' and 'Montfort'; two elaborate settings of the 'Stabat Mater' and a Requiem for the same, an organ concerto, and 6 sonatas for that instrument, making the number of these compositions eleven in all; two string quartets, three piano trios, a quintet for piano and strings, a duet for two pianos, besides part-songs, and other vocal works. Among his latest works are a nonet for wind instruments (op. 139), a string quartet (op. 147), 6 pieces for PF. and organ (op. 150), a mass (op. 151) and 12 organ pieces (op. 156). He has the title of Hofkapellmeister and Professor, and is a member of the Academy of Arts in Berlin."]
[App. p.820 "Add to list of works in appendix a Singspiel, 'Das Zauberwort,' op. 153, and a twelfth organ sonata, op. 154."]