Friedrich Kiel (1821 – 1885) was a German composer
and music teacher. Writing of the chamber music of
Friedrich Kiel, the famous scholar and critic Wilhelm
Altmann notes that it was Kiel’s extreme modesty
which kept him and his exceptional works from receiving
the consideration they deserved. After mentioning
Johannes Brahms and others, Altmann writes, “He
produced a number of chamber works, which . . . need
fear no comparison.”
Kiel was born in Bad Laasphe, Puderbach. He was t...(+)
Friedrich Kiel (1821 – 1885) was a German composer
and music teacher. Writing of the chamber music of
Friedrich Kiel, the famous scholar and critic Wilhelm
Altmann notes that it was Kiel’s extreme modesty
which kept him and his exceptional works from receiving
the consideration they deserved. After mentioning
Johannes Brahms and others, Altmann writes, “He
produced a number of chamber works, which . . . need
fear no comparison.”
Kiel was born in Bad Laasphe, Puderbach. He was taught
the rudiments of music and received his first piano
lessons from his father, but was in large part
self-taught. Something of a prodigy, he played the
piano almost without instruction at the age of six, and
by his thirteenth year he had composed much music. Kiel
eventually came to the attention of Prince Albrecht
Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, a great music lover.
Through the Prince's efforts, Kiel was allowed to study
violin with the concertmaster of the Prince’s fine
orchestra with which he later performed as a soloist.
Kiel was also given theory lessons from the renowned
flautist Kaspar Kummer. By 1840, the eighteen-year-old
Kiel was court conductor and the music teacher to the
prince’s children. Two years later, Louis Spohr heard
him and arranged for a scholarship which allowed Kiel
to study in Berlin with the renowned theorist and
teacher Siegfried Dehn. In Berlin, Kiel eventually
became sought after as an instructor. In 1866, he
received a teaching position at the prestigious Stern
conservatory, where he taught composition and was
elevated to a professorship three years later. In 1870
he joined the faculty of the newly founded Hochschule
für Musik which was shortly thereafter considered one
of the finest music schools in Germany. For his many
students See: List of music students by teacher: K to
M#Friedrich Kiel.
Kiel's hobby was mountaineering and at age 60, he
climbed Europe's second highest peak, the Monte Rosa,
on the Swiss-Italian border. In September 1883 he was
involved in a traffic accident with a coach. His
injuries eventually forced him to retire shortly before
his death in September 1885. Kiel's compositions number
over seventy, including a piano concerto, motets,
oratorios (including the Star of Bethlehem), as well as
a Missa Solemnis and two Requiems.
Chamber music comprises a considerable part of Kiel's
output and must be regarded among his most important
and best compositions. (See list below) Altmann noted
that, "throughout my long life, I have found Kiel’s
chamber music a never-failing source of delight.” He
praised Kiel highly as a melodist and lamented that it
was “scandalously unjust” that Kiel’s two string
quartets were as good as forgotten. Writing about
Kiel's two Piano Quintets Opp. 75 & 76 in The Chamber
Music Journal, R. H. R. Silvertrust remarks, "Both of
these quintets are as fine as any in the entire
literature." Several of his chamber works, along with
the piano concerto and some choral works, have been
recorded.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friedrich_Kiel).
Although originally written for Chorus (SATB), I
created this Interpretation of "Wie lieblich sind deine
Wohnungen (How amiable are thy dwellings) from Psalm 84
for Double-Reed Quartet (2 Oboes, English Horn &
Bassoon).
PARTITION