Charles Zeuner
Encyclopedia
Charles Zeuner was an organist
and composer
active in Germany
for a time, and then in Boston
and Philadelphia in the United States
.
and Michael Gotthard Fischer. He settled in Boston
where he made his debut as organist, pianist and vocalist on 13 February 1830. He was organist for Park Street Church
and the Handel and Haydn Society
1830-1837. His oratorio “The Feast of Tabernacles,” which was published in 1832, was premiered by the Boston Academy of Music
in 1837 at the Odeon. It was the first work of its kind composed in America. He was appointed president of the Handel and Hayden Society in 1838.
A disagreement with the trustees led to his resignation from the Handel and Hayden Society in 1839. He departed for Philadelphia where he was organist for St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and then Arch Street Presbyterian Church
. For several years, he showed symptoms of insanity
, which, however, were not thought to be serious, but on a trip to West Philadelphia he committed suicide
.
in the United States. His manuscripts and printed scores went to the Newland/Zeuner collection of the Library of Congress
.
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
active in Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
for a time, and then in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
and Philadelphia in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Biography
He was baptized as Heinrich Christoph, but changed his name when he came to the United States, probably in 1830, though some reports say 1824. He studied with Johann Nepomuk HummelJohann Nepomuk Hummel
Johann Nepomuk Hummel or Jan Nepomuk Hummel was an Austrian composer and virtuoso pianist. His music reflects the transition from the Classical to the Romantic musical era.- Life :...
and Michael Gotthard Fischer. He settled in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
where he made his debut as organist, pianist and vocalist on 13 February 1830. He was organist for Park Street Church
Park Street Church
The Park Street Church in Boston, Massachusetts is an active Conservative Congregational Church at the corner of Tremont Street and Park Street. The church is currently pastored by Gordon P. Hugenberger.-History:...
and the Handel and Haydn Society
Handel and Haydn Society
The Handel and Haydn Society is an American chorus and period instrument orchestra based in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1815, it remains one of the oldest performing arts organizations in the United States.-Early history:...
1830-1837. His oratorio “The Feast of Tabernacles,” which was published in 1832, was premiered by the Boston Academy of Music
Boston Academy of Music
The Boston Academy of Music is an institute of higher education in the field of music, located in Boston, Massachusetts. It was founded in 1833 by Lowell Mason and George James Webb. It was the first music school of its kind in the country....
in 1837 at the Odeon. It was the first work of its kind composed in America. He was appointed president of the Handel and Hayden Society in 1838.
A disagreement with the trustees led to his resignation from the Handel and Hayden Society in 1839. He departed for Philadelphia where he was organist for St. Andrew's Episcopal Church and then Arch Street Presbyterian Church
Arch Street Presbyterian Church
Arch Street Presbyterian Church is a historic church at 1726-1732 Arch Street in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.It was built in 1855 and added to the National Register in 1971....
. For several years, he showed symptoms of insanity
Insanity
Insanity, craziness or madness is a spectrum of behaviors characterized by certain abnormal mental or behavioral patterns. Insanity may manifest as violations of societal norms, including becoming a danger to themselves and others, though not all such acts are considered insanity...
, which, however, were not thought to be serious, but on a trip to West Philadelphia he committed suicide
Suicide
Suicide is the act of intentionally causing one's own death. Suicide is often committed out of despair or attributed to some underlying mental disorder, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, alcoholism, or drug abuse...
.
Legacy
He raised the standard for classical musicClassical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
in the United States. His manuscripts and printed scores went to the Newland/Zeuner collection of the Library of Congress
Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the research library of the United States Congress, de facto national library of the United States, and the oldest federal cultural institution in the United States. Located in three buildings in Washington, D.C., it is the largest library in the world by shelf space and...
.
Works
Besides his oratorio, he issued some collections of music, notably “The American Harp” (Boston, 1839) and “Ancient Lyre” (1848).External links
- Biographical data at pdmusic.org
- Charles Zeuner at library.upenn.org