Ernst Naumann

Carl Ernst Naumann (15 August 183215 December 1910) was a German organist, composer, conductor, editor, arranger and musicologist. He is best known now as an arranger and editor of the music of J.S. Bach, Mozart and Mendelssohn. He was a friend of Schumann and Brahms, and conducted the first performance of the latter's Alto Rhapsody in 1870.

Biography Carl (or Karl) Ernst Naumann was born in Freiberg in Saxony in 1832, the son of mineralogist Carl Friedrich Naumann. He was a cousin of Emil Naumann (1827–1888) and grandson of Johann Gottlieb Naumann (1741–1801), both composers.

Ernst Naumann studied the organ with (1789–1864) and composition with Moritz Hauptmann and Ernst Richter.

Naumann was friendly with Brahms and Schumann. The similarity of Brahms’s music to that of late Beethoven was first noted in a letter from Albert Dietrich to Ernst Naumann on 5 November 1853. Naumann was one of the people Dietrich wrote to in March 1854, following Schumann's suicide attempt in late February.

On 3 March 1870, with the Akademischer Gesangverein of Jena, Naumann conducted the first public performance of Brahms's Alto Rhapsody, with Pauline Viardot as soloist.

He died in 1910 in Jena, aged 78.

Compositions Naumann wrote in no large forms such as symphonies or operas, but confined himself to chamber music and vocal music. His original compositions include: Sonata in G minor for viola and piano, Op. 1 (1854) 4 Stücke (4 Pieces) for violin and piano, Op. 2 (c.1859) 5 Lieder von Joseph von Eichendorff for voice and piano, Op. 3 (c.1860); words by Joseph von Eichendorff Morgen: „Fliegt der erste Morgenstrahl“ Nachtwanderer: „Ich wand're durch die stille Nacht“ Erinnerung: „Die fernen Heimathöhen“ Wehmut: „Ich irr' in Tal und Hainen“ „Grün war die Weide, der Himmel blau“ Three Fantasiestücke (3 Fantasy Pieces) for cello (or viola) and piano, Op. 4 (1861) Three Fantasiestücke (3 Fantasy Pieces) for viola (or violin) and piano, Op. 5 (1861) String Quintet No. 2 in E major for 2 violins, 2 violas and cello, Op. 13 (published 1880) Salvum fac regem for male chorus a cappella, Op. 14 3 Lieder for voice and piano, Op. 15 (1879); words by Julius Altmann Abendwolke: „Gold'ne Wolk in stiller Höh'“ Trauer: „Ich kann kein Lied jetzt singen“ Strandlied: „Fahr' ich hin mit leichtem Kahn“ Pastorale for chamber orchestra, Op. 16 (flute, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets in B-flat, 2 bassoons, 2 horns in F, 2 violins, viola, cello, bass) String Trio in D major, Op. 12; Dresdner Streichtrio