A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Marx, Adolph
MARX, Adolph Bernhard, learned musician and author, born May 15, 1799, at Halle, son of a physician, learned harmony from Türk, studied law, and held a legal post at Naumburg. His love of music led him to Berlin, where he soon gave up the law, and in 1824 he founded with Schlesinger the publisher the 'Allgemeine Berliner Musikzeitung.' This periodical, which only existed seven years, did important service in creating a juster appreciation of Beethoven's works in North Germany, a service which Beethoven characteristically refers to in a letter[1] to Schlesinger, Sept. 25, 1825. His book on the same subject, however, 'Beethoven's Leben und Schaffen' (Berlin, 1859, 2nd ed. 1865, 3rd 1875), is a fantastic critique, too full of mere conjecture and misty æstheticism. In 1827 he received his doctor's diploma from the university of Marburg, and was made 'Docent,' or tutor, in the history and theory of music at the university of Berlin. He became Professor in 1830, and in 1832 Musikdirector of the university choir. In 1850 he founded with Kullak and Stern the 'Berliner Musikschule,' afterwards the 'Berliner Conservatorium,' but withdrew in 1856 (Kullak having resigned in '55), and henceforth devoted himself to his private pupils and to his work at the University. He died in Berlin, May 17, 1866. His numerous works are of unequal merit, the most important being the 'Lehre von der musikalischen Composition,' 4 vols. (Breitkopf & Härtel, 1837, 38, 45). His 'Gluck und die Oper' (Berlin, 2 vols. 1862) contains many ingenious observations, but is of no historical value. Besides what he did for Beethoven's music, Marx deserves credit for bringing to light many little-known works of Bach and Handel. His compositions are not remarkable; neither his oratorios 'Johannes der Taufer,' 'Moses,' and 'Nahid und Omar,' nor his instrumental music, obtaining more than a 'succès d'estime.' Nevertheless some particulars given in his 'Erinnerungen' (Berlin, 1865) as to his manner of composing are well worth reading, as indeed is the whole book for its interesting picture of the state of music in Berlin between 1830 and 60. With Mendelssohn he was at one time extremely intimate, and no doubt was in many respects useful to him; but his influence diminished as Mendelssohn grew older and more independent.
[ F. G. ]
- ↑ Nohl, Briefe, No. 363.