Theodor Uhlig

Theodor Uhlig (15 February 1822 – 3 January 1853) was a German violin-player, composer and music critic. He was the illegitimate son of Frederick Augustus II of Saxony. In these, the composer is often very frank about his own moods and depression, and frequently abusive of others, including mutual friends (e.g. accusing his former secretary Ritter of onanism).

Uhlig in part repaid Wagner by a series of articles, published in 1850, caustically attacking the opera Le prophète by Wagner's supposed enemy, Giacomo Meyerbeer. In a series of six essays in the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik, entitled "Contemporary Reflections", Uhlig castigated the music of the opera and attacked Meyerbeer personally, not least as a representative of "Hebraic art-taste" (Meyerbeer was Jewish). Wagner picked up on this phrase as an excuse to launch his virulent attack "Jewishness in Music". Uhlig was involved in the negotiations for the publication of this pamphlet.

Wagner later dedicated to Uhlig his major essay Opera and Drama. It was also to Uhlig that he first wrote of his intentions to create his Ring Cycle as a series of four operas. In this letter, Wagner asks Uhlig to 'borrow' for him a book that he needs about the Völsunga saga from the Dresden Royal Library.

Uhlig as composer and critic Uhlig's compositions, which are now completely forgotten, were extensive (running up to opus number 84). They included orchestral and chamber works, songs and Singspiele. He also wrote thoughtfully about other musical topics, including the music of Ludwig van Beethoven and Franz Liszt, and on phrase structure in music.