Richter, Ernst Friedrich Eduard

1808-1879

Noted German theorist and composer; born at Gross-Schonau. Was the son of a schoolmaster; attended the Gymnasium at Zittau, and afterward studied theology at the University of Leipsic, where he became interested in music, and placed himself under the tuition of Weinlig. In 1843, on the foundation of the Leipsic Conservatory, he became teacher of harmony and counterpoint in that institution, and conductor of the Singakademie, retaining the post until 1847. In 1868 he was made musical director of St. Nicholas' Church and of St. Thomas  where he was also cantor, and received the title of professor. The   honorary degree of University Musical Director was conferred upon him by the University of Leipsic. He died in Leipsic. He composed an oratorio; Christus der Erloser; Schiller's Dithyrambe; string quartets; music for organ; sonatas for piano and for violin; songs; part-songs; masses; motets, and psalms, these being considered the best of his compositions. His theoretical works, however, are of much more importance. His threepart treatise on harmony, fugue and counterpoint, was translated into English and was re-edited several times, in this country by J. P. Morgan and Arthur Foote, and the part on harmony has been translated into Russian, Italian, and other European languages, as well as running through numerous German editions.