A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Loewe, Johann Carl
LOEWE, Johann Carl Gottfried, born Nov. 30, 1796, at Loebejuen, between Köthen and Halle, twelfth and youngest child of a Cantor and schoolmaster. Near his home were collieries employing 300 miners, and this underground world, so near in his boyish fancy to the world of spirits, took powerful hold on his imagination, to reappear later when he was composing 'Der Bergmann' (The Miner). His father taught him music early, and his singing, especially his power of hitting the right note, having attracted attention, he was offered in 1807 a place in the choir of Köthen. There he remained two years, hearing Pergolese's 'Stabat Mater,' and other good music, and went thence to the Gymnasium of the Franke Institution at Halle. Türk, the head of this, was director of the town choral society, and at the twelve annual concerts produced much good music, although he had some curious notions, for Loewe tells that he always omitted the introduction to the Finale of Beethoven's 1st Symphony (then well known) as 'ludicrous,' and for fear of making the audience laugh. Niemeyer, chancellor of the Gymnasium, was proud of the choir, and made them sing to distinguished visitors, among others to Mme. de Staël, who made Loewe a present, and to King Jerome, who at Türk's instigation gave him an annuity of 300 thalers. This enabled him to devote himself entirely to music. He had already become a pianist by studying Bach's 'Wohltemperirte Clavier,' and he now took daily lessons from Türk, and worked hard at Kirnberger, Marpurg, and Forkel. He also learned French and Italian. Two of his songs of this date, 'Clothar' and 'Die Einsetzungsworte des Abendmahls' (op. 2)[1] have survived. Meantime the war of 1812–13 broke out, and Loewe has left a graphic account of its horrors in his 'Selbstbiographie' (edited by Bitter, Berlin 1870). Türk died in 1814, and the flight of King Jerome (Oct. 26, 1813) deprived Loewe of his income, but by the aid of Niemeyer he entered the university of Halle as a theological student under Michaelis. Naue, Türk's successor, founded a Singakademie like that of Zelter at Berlin. Loewe joined this, and thus became acquainted with his future wife, Julie von Jacob, a very gifted person, whom he married Sept. 7, 1821. In 1818 he composed his first ballads, 'Edward,' and the 'Erl-king,' followed in 1824 (after his wife's death) by 'Der Wirthin Töchterlein,' which, by Marx's assistance, were printed. In 1819 and 20 he paid visits to Dresden, Weimar, and Jena, making the acquaintance of Weber, Hummel, and Goethe. In 1820 he was invited to Stettin, and having passed with credit through various tests, such as a musical exercise submitted to Zelter, and a trial sermon, was duly installed professor at the Gymnasium and Seminary, and Cantor. In 1821 he became Musikdirector to the municipality, and organist of St. Jacobus. He made a considerable mark both as a conductor and professor[2] in Stettin and throughout Pomerania. In 1837 he was elected member of the Akademie of Berlin. He was a favourite with both Frederic William III. aud IV., the latter being especially fond of his ballads. He travelled much, and was present at the Musical Festivals of Düsseldorf (1837) and Mayence (the Guttenberg Commemoration), visiting Hamburg, Lübeck, and Bremen on the way. In 1844 he went to Vienna, and in 1847 to London. The Duchess of Coburg had specially recommended him to the Prince Consort and Queen Adelaide; he sang and played at Court, the Prince turning over his music; and here he heard Jenny Lind for the first time; but he left not the least trace of his presence behind him. In 1851 he went to Sweden and Norway, and in 57 to France. In 1864 he had a singular illness—a trance of six weeks' duration, and in 1866 the authorities of Stettin asked him to resign. After this mortification—somewhat atoned for by the King's opportune bestowal of a higher grade of the Order of the Red Eagle than he had before enjoyed—he left Stettin for Kiel, where he quietly expired April 20, 1869, after another trance. His heart was buried near his organ in St. Jacobus at Stettin.
Carl Loewe was an industrious composer, as will be seen from the list of his music:—5 operas, of which one only was performed—'Die drei Wünsche' (Theatre Royal, Berlin, 1834). Mantius was the tenor; Spontini took unusual pains; the opera was a great success, and the Crown Prince presented the composer with a gold medal. Oratorios—'Die Festzeiten'; 'Die Zerstörung Jerusalems' (1829); 'Die sieben Schläfer'[3] (1833); 'Die eherne Schlange' (1834); 'Die Apostel von Philippi (1835, for voices only); 'Guttenberg' (1836); 'Palestrina'(1841); 'Huss' (1842); 'Hiob,' 'Der Meister von Avis,' 'Das Sühnopfer des neuen Bundes,' 'Das hohe Lied Salomonis,' and 'Polus Atella ' (all between 1848 and 60); 'Die Heilung des Blindgebornen' (1861); 'Johannes der Taufer' (62); and 'Die Auferweckung des Lazarus' (63). The three last, like 'Die Apostel von Philippi,' were for voices only, without accompaniment, a species of composition peculiar to himself. His second wife and pupil, Auguste Lange of Königsberg, sang in his oratorios with himself. He published 145 works with opus-numbers—symphonies, concertos, duets, and other pieces for P.F., but above all, ballads, in which he specially excelled, and in which he may be considered as the successor of Zumsteeg. His poetic feeling and power of musical expression give him a high rank among composers, although his music, like Reichardt's, has gone by for ever. He was the author of a 'Gesanglehre' (Stettin, 1826; 3rd ed., 1834), and of 'Musikalischer Gottesdienst, Anweisung zum Kirchengesang und Orgelspiel' (1851, 4 editions). The University of Greifswald conferred on him a Doctor's degree. Two of his songs are included in the 1st volume of 'The Musical Library.'