Kuhmstedt, Friedrich

1809-1858

German organist, composer and writer on musical subjects, who rose to eminence after overcoming many difficulties. He was born at Oldisleben, in Saxe-Weimar, and when nineteen, in opposition to the desire of his parents, who wished to make him a minister, he left the University of Weimar and went to Darmstadt, where he stayed three years studying composition with C. H. Rinck. He taught music at Weimar and also wrote, but had to struggle with threatened paralysis of his right hand, and was able to earn only a very scanty living, until 1836, when he became musical director and teacher in the Eisenach Seminary. More trouble was in store for him however, for he married and his wife died suddenly on the wedding day before they left the church. When he roused himself from this great sorrow, be began the works which soon brought him into prominence and good circumstances. He died at Eisenach. He wrote some operas and oratorios which had only temporary popularity, but his name has lived through his excellent organ works such as The Art of Preluding; Introduction to the works of J. S. Bach; many fugues and preludes; and a  work on harmony and modulation.