Albert Methfessel

Albert Methfessel (6 October 1785 – 23 March 1869) was a German composer, singer, musicologist, and conductor. Originally destined by his parents for service in the church, like his older brother, he left theological studies because of his great interest in music. Given a scholarship by local nobility, he was able to formally study music, and then return to his hometown of Rudolstadt to perform and sing for twelve years. He spent three years in Hamburg before becoming an itinerant musician for seven years. His period of greatest income was as Kapellmeister in Braunschweig from 1832 to 1842. His career was then hampered by health difficulties, but he continued to compose, write musical treatises, and correspond with his fellow musicians until his death in 1869. He is most well known for his vocal compositions, in particular, his works for students and for male voices.

Early life and family Born Albert Gottlieb Methfessel in Stadtilm, Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, on 6 October 1785, he was the son of Johann Christian Methfessel (1733–1816) and Sophia Marie (née Gölitz) Methfessel (1745–1818). Johann Christian was the local school teacher and Cantor in Stadtilm, while Sophia was the daughter of a Stadtilm church councilman. From 1825 to 1832 he was a traveling musician whose income was insecure, until such time as he decided to settle into stable employment. He also spent some of this time as a music teacher, including piano.

Assessment

With his solo voice and choral compositions, Methfessel was a key figure, not only of German folk singing in the 19th century, but of popular singing of the male voice in general. Many of his songs, in particular patriotic songs included in the five editions of "Allgemeinen Commers- und Liederbuch", were considered the model for student songs. His songs were described by his contemporaries as "fresh, singable, pleasant, and pleasing". The instrumental accompaniment for his songs have no independence to the melody, merely supplying simple harmonic support to the vocalist. He wrote several pieces of instrumental music, but the reputation of this output suffers in comparison to his vocal works.

Methfessel was an "exquisite" singer, even preceding his formal training. In addition to his singing, he was a highly accomplished pianist and guitarist. He was a serious student of both theology and music, yet he was popular with his peers and society in general because of his personal integrity and his genial personality. Even upon the loss of his wife, his hearing, and his sight he was known for his cheerfulness.

Works Many of Methfessel's songs were scored for guitar accompaniment. A large part of his output is for a solo vocalist. His part-songs for male voices remained in the German choral repertoire long after his death. His setting of "Stadt Hamburg an der Elbe Auen" became the national song of Hamburg. The settings for his vocal pieces range from the sacred to the comic. His most resounding works celebrate patriotism, friendship, freedom, and love.

In addition to his vocal works, he wrote instrumental music for guitar, organ, piano, and glass harmonica.

Operas The Prince of Basra

Oratorios Das befreite Jerusalem