Meyer-Olbersleben, Max

1850-

Teacher and composer; born at Olbersleben, near Weimar; began his musical studies with his father, later studying with Müller-Hartung and finally with Liszt at Weimar. Liszt recommended him to the patronage of the Duke who sent him to Munich for two years' study under Cornelius, Wüllner and Rheinberger. After spending a year at Brussels and another at Munich he returned to Weimar and became professor of piano and theory at the Orchestra School of his old master, Müller-Hartung. In 1877 he went to Wurzburg to teach counterpoint and composition in the Royal Conservatory of Music and in 1879 he became conductor of the celebrated Wurzburger Liedertafel. He was made a Royal professor in 1885, and in 1896 his ability was so widely recognized that he was made a member of the Board of Directors of the Deutscher Sangerbund in collaboration with Kremser, directing the Fifth National Song Festival at Stuttgart. In 1907 he was appointed to succeed Dr. Khebert as director of the Royal Conservatory of Wurzburg. Meyer has showed great ability as a composer, having written a large number of compositions, among them Der Hauben Krieg and Clare Dettin; two overtures, Feierklange and Festouverture as well as some chamber-music; piano-pieces; songs; choruses; a piano trio; some pieces for piano and cello; a cantata, The Blind Elf; and many other vocal and instrumental pieces.