Dannreuther, Edward George

1844-1905

German composer, writer and pianist, who was also a teacher, and a friend and champion of Wagner. He was born at Strasburg, and when five years of age was taken to Cincinnati, Ohio. He studied music at Leipsic, from 1859 to 1863, under Richter, Hauptmann and Moscheles. He finally made London his home, settling there in 1863. Dannreuther is best known as a pianist and an advocate of Wagner. In 1872 he founded a Wagner Society and conducted its concerts, and his influence has been of the highest value to the cause of chamber-music in England. He was a masterly interpreter of Bach and Beethoven and an earnest apostle of the new school of music and no less zealous for the old. Among his works are songs and piano music; a book on Wagner and his theories and tendencies; articles contributed to Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, articles on the opera, on Beethoven and on Wagner, which appeared in Macmillan's Magazine; and he also translated many of Wagner's works. Mr. Dannreuther's last literary work was volume VI (The Romantic Period) of the Oxford History of Music, issued by the Clarendon Press. This volume appeared shortly after his death. A son, S. Dannreuther, survives him and resides in London.