Franz Abt |
Franz Wilhelm Abt, 1819-1885, was the son of a clergyman. Born at Eilenburg in Saxony, he showed musical skill at a young age and was enrolled in the Thomas School at Leipzig where he developed a passion for choral conducting. He was kapellmeister at Bernburg in 1841, then moved to Zürich in the same year. He became musical director at the court theater in Braunschweig from 1852 to 1882. He visited America in 1872, where his songs were very popular, and he was warmly received and appreciated for his warmth and sense of humor. Abt was one of the most prolific composers in European history and the most famous choral conductor in Germany, leading every major choral society in the region at one time or another. Abt wrote over 3,000 choral music compositions. His most famous song in America was "Wenn die Schwalben heimwärts ziehn" heard here in a vintage recording. |