Carl Friedrich Rungenhagen

Carl Friedrich Rungenhagen (first name also sometimes given as Karl; 27 September 1778 – 21 December 1851) was a German composer and academic teacher at the Prussian Academy of Arts in Berlin.

Life Born in Berlin on 27 September 1778, Rungenhagen abandoned early study of art under Daniel Chodowiecki and joined his father's trading company. He worked there from 1796 to his father's death, after which he devoted himself entirely to music. proved insufficient for him to win the post, despite the fact that Felix and the members of the Mendelssohn family had for many years sung in, and supported, the Akademie. Some have supposed that Rungenhagen's success was due to anti-Jewish sentiment. The loss of the election may have motivated Mendelssohn to turn his back on Berlin.

As Director of the Akademie, Rungenhagen continued the revival of the music of Bach; in 1833 he conducted the first performance of Bach's St John Passion after Bach's death.

Rungenhagen also worked at the Prussian Academy of Arts in Berlin as a music pedagogue, appointed professor in 1843. Amongst his students were Albert Lortzing, Louis Lewandowski, Stanisław Moniuszko, August Conradi and Alexander Fesca. Rungenhagen was also a member of a Masonic Lodge in Berlin.

Rungenhagen died at the age of 73 in Berlin on 21 December 1851, and was buried in the Dorotheenstadt cemetery. His successor as director of the Akademie was Eduard Grell.

Selected works Aus der Tiefe ruf' ich, Herr (Psalm 130) for soprano, four-part choir and organ or piano Friedens-Cantate, Berlin, printed at W. Dieterici, 1816 Te Deum, Berlin, printed at W. Dieterici, 1816 Stabat mater dolorosa (with Latin and German text) for two soprano and one alto soloist, Op. 24, Berlin, Trautwein, 1826 Christi Einzug in Jerusalem, 1834

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