Ehlert, Ludwig

1825-1884

Born at Konigsberg. Was a pianist and composer, but his reputation rests more on his work as a critic and writer. He was a pupil of Mendelssohn and Schumann in the Leipsic Conservatory in 1845, afterward studying in Vienna and Berlin, at which latter place he settled as a teacher in 1850. He visited Italy at length, and was there director of the Societa Cherubini in Florence; taught in Tausig's School, in Berlin, from 1869 to 1871, then went to Meiningen to teach the princes, and from there to Wiesbaden, where he died of apoplexy. His musical works are overtures to Hafiz and Winter's Tale; a Spring Symphony, performed at Berlin and Leipsic; a Requiem for a Child; and songs and pieces for the piano. His literary works are Briefe Aus der Tonwelt, published at Berlin, and translated into English as Letters from the Tone-World, in New York; also Briefe uber Musik an eine Freundin, Berlin, translated and published in London and Boston, as Letters on Music to a Lady, and containing interesting sketches of the greater European composers.