A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Spitta, Julius
SPITTA, Julius August Philipp, a well-known musical litterateur, son of the author of the 'Psalter und Harfe'; born at Wechold, Hanover, Dec. 27, 1841; studied at Gottingen, and afterwards taught at Reval, Sondershausen, and Leipzig, where he took part in the founding of the Bachverein in 1874. So great was his progress during this time, that in 1875 he was made Professor of Musical history in the Berlin university, and Perpetual Secretary to the Academy of Arts there. At Easter of the same year he became teacher of musical History in the Hochschule für Musik; in 1876 entered the direction, and at midsummer 1882 became a permanent director of that establishment. His principal literary work is a Life of J. S. Bach in 2 vols. (B. & H.; vol. i. 1873, vol. ii. 1880)—an accurate and perfectly exhaustive treatise of all relating to the subject, but sadly wanting a better index.[1] He has published a smaller biography of the same master, forming No. 1 of Breitkopf & Härtel's 'Musikalische Vorträge,' and another of Schumann, which, though issued as nos. 37, 38 of the same series, was written for this Dictionary. [See vol. iii. pp. 384–421.] His article on Spontini, in this work, is the first adequate treatment of that singular individual. An article on Homilius will be found in the Allg. Deutsche Biographie, and many other productions of his pen in the Leipzig Allg. Musikalische Zeitung for 1875–78, 1880–82, and in the earlier numbers of Eitner's 'Monatsheft für Musikgeschichte.' His critical edition of the organ works of Buxtehude in 2 vols. (B. & H. 1875, 76), is an admirable specimen of editing, and, in addition to the music, contains much valuable information. [App. p.796 "Add that the new edition of Schütz's works, published by Breitkopf & Härtel, is edited by Dr. Spitta. (Died Apr. 13, 1894.)"]
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- ↑ An English translation is announced by Messrs. Novello & Co. [App. p.796 "add that the translation of his 'J. S. Bach,' by Clara Bell and J. A. Fuller Maitland, was published in three volumes, by Novello & Co. in 1884–5."]