Joseph Gabriel Rheinberger
A composer and organist, born at Vaduz, in the Principality of
Lichtenstein, Bavaria, 17 March, 1839; died at Munich, 25 Nov., 1901.
When seven years old, he already served as organist in his parish
church, and at the age of eight composed a mass for three voices. After
enjoying for a short time the instruction of Choir-master Schmutzer in
Feldkirch, he attended the conservatory at Munich from 1851 to 1854, and
finished his musical education with a course under Franz Lachner. In
1859 he was appointed professor of the theory of music and organ at the
conservatory, a position which he held until a few months before his
death. Besides his duties as teacher he acted successively as organist
at the court Church of St. Michael, conductor of the Munich Oratorio
Society, and instructor of the solo artists at the royal opera. In 1867
he received the title of royal professor, and became inspector of the
newly established royal school for music, now called the Royal Academy
of Music. In 1877 he was promoted to the rank of royal court conductor,
which position carried with it the direction of the music in the royal
chapel. Honoured by his prince with the title of nobility and accorded
the honorary degree of Doctor of Philosophy by the Munich University,
Rheinberger for more than forty years wielded as teacher of many of the
most gifted young musicians of Europe and America, perhaps more
influence than any of his contemporaries. As a composer he was
remarkable for his power of invention, masterful technique, and a noble,
solid style. Among his two hundred compositions are oratorios (notably
"Christoforus" and "Monfort"); two operas; cantatas for soli, chorus,
and orchestra ("The Star of Bethlehem", "Toggenburg", "Klărchen
auf Eberstein" etc.); smaller works for chorus and orchestra; symphonies
("Wallenstein"), overtures, and chamber music for various combinations
of instruments, Most important of all his instrumental works are his
twenty sonatas for organ, the most notable productions in this form
since Mendelssohn. Rheinberger wrote many works to liturgical texts,
namely, twelve masses (one for double chorus, three for four voices a
cappella, three for women's voices and organ, two for men's voices
and one with orchestra), a requiem, Stabat Mater, and a large
number of motets, and smaller pieces. Rheinbergen's masses rank high as
works of art, but some of them are defective in the treatment of the
text. Joseph Renner, Jr., has recently remedied most of these defects,
and made the masses available for liturgical purposes.
KRAYER, Joseph Rheinberger (Ratisbon, 1911);
RENNER, Rheinberger's Messen in Kirchen-musikalisches
Jahrbuch (Ratisbon, 1909).
JOSEPH OTTEN
Transcribed by Douglas J. Potter
Dedicated to the Immaculate Heart of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XIII Copyright © 1912 by Robert Appleton Company Online Edition Copyright © 1999 by Kevin Knight Nihil Obstat, February 1, 1912. Remy Lafort, D.D., Censor Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York
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