A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Hartmann
HARTMANN. A family of German origin who have lived in Copenhagen for some four generations. Johann Ernst (1726–1793) was a violinist and composer, who after holding several musical posts at Breslau and Rudolstadt became capellmeister to the Duke of Ploen, and went with him to Copenhagen. Here he wrote much music, now completely forgotten, with the exception of the song 'Kong Christian,' which first appeared in an opera 'Der Fischer,' and has since been adopted as the Danish National Hymn. He died in 1791. His son,
August Wilhelm, born 1775, held the post of organist to the Garrison Church in Copenhagen from 1800 to 1850, and was the father of
Johann Peter Emil, born May 14, 1805, who has for many years held a high place among Danish composers. His opera 'Ravnen' (The Raven), to words by H. C. Andersen, was produced Oct. 29, 1832. It was followed by 'Die Corsaren' on April 23, 1835, and 'Liden Kirsten' ('Little Christie'), on May 12, 1846. Besides these he has written much for the theatre in the way of incidental music, etc., as well as choral works, songs, a symphony in G minor, dedicated to Spohr, and many piano pieces, mentioned in vol. ii. p. 729b. His son,
Emil, born Feb. 21, 1836, studied with his father and with N. W. Gade, his brother-in-law, held between 1861 and 1873 various appointments as organist, but on account of weak health has since that time devoted himself entirely to composition. Among his works, which have obtained great success both in Denmark and Germany, may be mentioned the operas: 'Die Erlenmädchen,' 'Die Nixe,' and 'Die Korsikaner'; a ballet 'Fjeldstuen'; 'Nordische Volkstänze' (op. 18), a symphony in E♭ (op. 29), an overture 'Ein nordische Heerfahrt' (op. 25), a choral cantata 'Winter and Spring' (op. 13), concertos for violin and violoncello, a serenade for piano, clarinet and violoncello (op. 24), and many songs. His most recent compositions are a symphony in D, and an orchestral suite, 'Scandinavische Volksmusik.'