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Karl Nef

1873 – 1935

Swiss musicologist

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About Karl Nef

Lived 1873 – 1935 (aged 61). Karl Nef was a Swiss musicologist, university teacher, writer and historian.

Karl Nef (22 August 1873 – 9 February 1935) was a Swiss musicologist.

Life Born in St. Gallen, Nef first studied cello at the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig, but then turned to musicology under the influence of Hermann Kretzschmar. In 1896 his dissertation "Die Collegia Musica in der deutschen reformierten Schweiz von ihrer Entstehung bis zum Beginn des neunzehnten Jahrhunderts. Mit einer Einleitung über den reformierten Kirchengesang und die Pflege der Profanmusik in der Schweiz in den frühern Zeiten" at the Zollikofer'sche Buchdruckerei St. Gallen. In 1897, he moved to Basel, where he first worked as an editor for the Schweizer Musikzeitung and as a music consultant for the Basler Zeitung.

Over the years he established the ; after his habilitation in 1900, Nef was appointed associate professor in 1909 and finally full professor in 1923.

Nef died in Basel at the age of 61. His successor as head of the institute was .

Work

Die Stadtpfeiferei. Eine Skizze aus dem Musikleben der Vergangenheit, In: Schweizer Illustrierte, Bd. 7, 1903. (Numerized) and (Numerized)

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
University of Music and Theatre Leipzig
Employers
University of Basel

People in Karl Nef's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Karl Nef's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Karl Nef?

Swiss musicologist (1873-1935)

When was Karl Nef born?

Karl Nef was born on 22 August 1873 in St. Gallen.

When did Karl Nef die?

Karl Nef died on 9 February 1935 in Basel.

What was Karl Nef's occupation?

Karl Nef was a musicologist, university teacher, writer and historian.

What nationality was Karl Nef?

Karl Nef was Swiss.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Karl Nef

· Wikidata: Q122785

· DBpedia: Karl Nef

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Karl Nef. https://biography.guide/karl-nef/

MLA: "Karl Nef." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/karl-nef/.

Chicago: "Karl Nef." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/karl-nef/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-22 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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