Friedrich August Wilhelm Baumfelder (28 May 1836 – 8 September 1916 in Dresden) was a German composer of classical music, conductor, and pianist. He started in the Leipzig Conservatory, and went on to become a well-known composer of his time. His many works were mostly solo salon music, but also included symphonies, piano concertos, operas, and choral works. Though many publishers published his work, they have since fallen into obscurity.
Life and Family Friedrich Baumfelder was the third of seven children.Carl Friedrich Gotthelf Baumfelder - Sächsische Biografie. Isgv.de. Retrieved on 2011-01-03. His father was Carl Friedrich Gotthelf Baumfelder (1798–1865), a school reformer and pedagogue, and his mother was Friederike Ernestine (1806–1882).
At an early age, Baumfelder was admitted to the Leipzig Conservatory where he studied with Ignaz Moscheles and Moritz HauptmannA dictionary of pianists and composers for the pianoforte - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved on 2011-05-01. and later obtained a scholarship. His other teachers included Johann Schneider and Julius Otto. After leaving the Leipzig Conservatory, Baumfelder returned to Dresden where he worked as a cantor and music and piano teacher at the Dreikönigskirche. He taught Georg Schumann, who became one of his most successful students. In 1875, he became director of the Robert Schumann Singakademie,Hugo Riemann, Geschichte der Musik seit Beethoven. Berlin: Spemann, 1901. p.608. a post he held for several decades. Eventually, he became a successful and well known teacher and composer.
As Baumfelder gained recognition, he often went abroad to England, France, and later, the United States to perform. He and his wife Emma Baumfelder (née Skrimshire) had had five sons and two daughters: Henry (1864–1900),Henry Baumfelder Search - Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com. Retrieved on 2011-05-01. Fritz (1867–1888) (who composed as well), Florence (1869–1954),Florence Baumfelder Search - Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com. Retrieved on 2011-05-01. William (nickname Willie) (1870–1901),Gardiner Boyd/Mossom Boyd Family - The Boyd Family Information Center. Clanyboyd.info. Retrieved on 2011-05-01.William Baumfelder (1870 - 1901) - Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com. Retrieved on 2020-10-18. Gustav Baumfelder (1870–1931),Baumfelder Search - Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com. Retrieved on 2012-06-23. Selma Marie Elisabeth (1871–1949), and Herbert Alfred Maria (1872–1946),Herbert Baumfelder Search - Ancestry.com. Ancestry.com. Retrieved on 2011-05-01.
Legacy A tribute to Baumfelder was published on May 27, 1936, in the Dresdner Gazette, a day before the hundredth anniversary of his birth. It said:
It's been 100 years since Friedrich Baumfelder was born, on May 28th. In Dresden, many people will remember him as the old tall figure with the white, flowing hair under his hat...
It goes on to mention that Baumfelder had written several oratorios, and a setting of the 40th Psalm. These works have since been lost and possibly destroyed during World War II. The article also talks about how the Dresdner Liedertafel praised him, since he was under its leadership for two years:
The [Dresdner] Liedertafel biography of him [Friedrich Baumfelder] says that he was zealous and always prepared, and conducted with the most charming skills (...) A memorial for the former musical leader of the Dresden Liedertafel will be...at the Trinity Cemetery...
Baumfelder is still known in the United States, Germany, and in Great Britain today, but only for a few of his works, mentioned below.
Musical works Baumfelder composed more than 400 works, including symphonies, overtures, piano concerti, operas, choral works, and solo piano music.Baumfelder Piano Sheet Music - Piano Street. Pianostreet.com. Retrieved on 2011-05-02. His Confidence, Op. 48, Rondo Mignon, Op. 49, Kinderscenen, Op. 270, and Rococo, Op. 367, were among his most popular works, and his Tirocinium musicae, Op. 300 was greatly demanded.
A great number of his works are lost, having been destroyed in World War II, and only a part of his oeuvre survives today.
His most known compositions today are the Peasant Dance from Op.208 and the Melody in F major, a simplified version of "Übung macht den Meister" (Practice Makes the Master), No. 3 from Album für Anfänger des Klavierspiels, Op.215. These pieces are played by students studying piano. More recordings of his works recently surfaced on CD by the Sächsische Posaunenmission, including his motet Praise the Lord.
List of works with Opus numbers
This list of compositions by Friedrich August Wilhelm Baumfelder is categorized in the following way: Opus: The opus number of the work(s) (if any). Composition: The work title. Date: The date the work was published, performed, composed, or copyrighted; whichever was earliest. Key: The key of the work(s). Instrument(s): The instrument(s) or force(s) used to play this work. Notes: More information about the work(s).
The date shown is the earliest publication or copyrighted (if not date performed or composed) of the work that are known of. Any of these works could have been published or copyrighted at an earlier date. Opus Composition Date Key Instrument Notes 1 Four CanonsHofmeisters Handbuch der Musikliteratur, Volume 5 - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved on 2011-01-01. May 1855 Pianoforte 2 Two Serenades December 1856 Pianoforte Dedicated to Dr. Krause in Dresden 3(a) Zwei LiederHofmeisters Handbuch der Musikliteratur, Volume 7 - Google Books. Books.google.com (2008-01-30). Retrieved on 2010-09-11. 1865? Pianoforte and Tenor Voice Words by Heinrich Heine. If the cover says "Fr. Baumfelder" this may be by Fritz, not Friedrich Baumfelder. First work definitely by "Fritz" is his opus 1 a few years after this, so time is more consistent. 3(a)/1 Lautes Geheimnis ("Die blauen Frühlingsaugen") 1865? Pianoforte and Tenor Voice Dubious? (See above) 3(a)/2 Verlorne Liebe ("Wir wuchsen in demselben Thal") 1865? Pianoforte and Tenor Voice Dubious? (See above) 3(b) Chant du Berger February 1856 Pianoforte More likely to be by Friedrich Baumfelder given date of publication-Schissel 4 Une Fleur du Printemps April 1856 Pianoforte 5 Valse brilliante November 1856 Pianoforte 6 Lied f. Sopran aus: Die Pilgerfahrt der Rose (Denn a Röslein) March 1857 Pianoforte and Soprano Voice lost 7 Freundlich ermahnende Mutter December 1857 Pianoforte 8 Nocturne January 1856 Pianoforte 9 3 Fleurs. Morceaux Faciles November 1865 Pianoforte 9/1 Le Myosotis November 1865 Pianoforte 9/2 La Jacynthe November 1865 Pianoforte 9/3 La Rose des Alpes November 1865 Pianoforte 10 Sehnsucht nach der Heimath February 1858 Pianoforte 11 La Prière d'un Enfant April 1856 Pianoforte 11/1 Au Matin April 1856 Pianoforte 11/2 Au Soir April 1856 Pianoforte 12 Au Bord du Ruisseau, morceau characteristique February 1858 Pianoforte 13 Je pensais à toi. Pensée musicale September to October 1857 Pianoforte 14 Duftiges Veilehen. Klavierstück December 1857 Pianoforte 15 Polka brillante pour Piano February 1858 Pianoforte 16 Souvenir de Dresde. Mazurka February 1858 Pianoforte 17 Schillers Abendlied. Klavierstück December 1857 Pianoforte 18 Ma Prière pour toi. Nocturne February 1858 Pianoforte 19 Herzeleid. 4 characterische Tonstücke for PianoforteHofmeisters Handbuch der Musikliteratur, Volume 9 - Google Books. Books.google.com (2008-01-30). Retrieved on 2010-09-11. February 1858 Pianoforte 20 Deux Caprices June 1858 Pianoforte 20/1 I. June 1858 Pianoforte Dedicated to Miss Emily Wangh his pupil. Published by Adolphe Brauer. 20/2 II. June 1858 Pianoforte 22 Agathe. Mazourka de Salon February 1859 Pianoforte 23 La Prière d'une Vierge 1859 July Pianoforte 24 Marche 1859 July Pianoforte 25 Dein Bild. Klavierstück 1859 February Pianoforte 26 2me Valse Brilliante 1859 November Pianoforte Dedicated to Miss Emily White. 27 Heimathsgruss. Klavierstück 1859 November Pianoforte 28 Ballade 1859 November Pianoforte 29 Gruss aus der FerneHofmeisters Handbuch der Musikliteratur, Volume 6 - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved on 2011-03-05. 1860 July Pianoforte lost 30 Jugend-Album. 40 kleine Stücke am Pianoforte zu spielen September to October 1860 Pianoforte In 4 books 31 Jessie. Polonaise brillante pour Piano 1868 Pianoforte lost 32 Der Frühling kommt! Klavierstück May 1860 Pianoforte lost 33 Süsser Traum. Klavierstück 1860 July Pianoforte lost 35 Romanze November 1860 Pianoforte lost 36 La Cascade November 1890 Pianoforte lost 38 Henriette-Polka September to October 1858 Pianoforte lost 39 Marcia Funebre 1860 August Pianoforte lost 40 Valse Styrienne, pour Piano 1861 January Pianoforte 41 Tyrolienne élégante, pour Piano 1861 January Pianoforte 42 Beim Schneiden. Melodie für Pianoforte 1861 January Pianoforte 43 Isabelle, polka élégante, pour Piano 1861 January Pianoforte 44 In stiller Nacht, Klavierstück. 1861 January Pianoforte 45 Galop brilliant, pour Piano 1861 January Pianoforte 46 Marie, polonaise brillante, pour Piano 1861 January Pianoforte 47 2me Ballade pour Piano 1861 January Pianoforte 48 Trost. Consolation 1865-66? Pianoforte Also known as Confidence, and Consolation. Andante de Concert 49 Rondo mignon pour Piano February 1865 G major Pianoforte 50 Reisebilder. 5 leichte stücke August 1861 Pianoforte lost; Abschied von der Heimath Wandermarsch Im Elbthal Auf dem See Lustige Schweizer 51 Feuille d'Album ca.1865 Pianoforte lost 52 Pensée ca.1865 Pianoforte lost 53 2me Nocturne November 1861 A major Pianoforte 55 Clara Polka élégante pour Piano 1865 Pianoforte 56 Stumme Liebe. 6 charakteristische Tonstücke September to October 1860 Pianoforte lost; made up of 6 pieces 60 Characteristic Sonata Before April 1879, probably 1865-66 Pianoforte lost; was perhaps one of the two sonatas performed at the Fünfundzwenzigjähriger jubilee? 61 Confidence. Chanson sans paroles pour Piano. ca.1855 acc. to Dresden library Pianoforte Dresden library has at least some of this work, possibly all. Also, the National Library of Poland has this work, seemingly in full and available in a digitized form online. 63 Morceau héroique, pour Piano March 1866 Pianoforte 64 La Rêve, nocturne pour Piano 1865 February Pianoforte 65 Marche militaire pour piano May 1863 Pianoforte 66 Une Larme, nocturne pour Piano October 1863 Pianoforte 67 Transcription brillante sur l'air anglais: God bless the Prince of Wales pour Piano July 1864 Pianoforte lost; Transcription on the English air "God Bless the Prince of Wales" 68 Un Jour de Mai, morceau pour Piano 1866 Pianoforte 69 Loin d'Elle, nocturne pour Piano March 1863 Pianoforte 70 Evelyn. Polka éléganteAllgemeine musikalische Zeitung (1866) - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved on 2011-01-03. 1864 February Pianoforte 71 Agnès, mélodieAllgemeine musikalische Zeitung, Volume 1 (1863) - Google Books. Books.google.com. Retrieved on 2011-01-03. 1863 October Pianoforte 72 Croyez Moi! Mélodie 1865 April Pianoforte 73 La Fontaine, morceau characteristique pour pianoforte 1863 March Pianoforte 74 Le Cloches du Soir, nocturne pour piano 1863 March Pianoforte 75 Le Jour saint, 10 morceaux religieux 1863 September Pianoforte Work made up of 10 pieces 77 Chanson d'Amour 1863 Pianoforte 79 Souvenir de Hertford. Polka élégante 1864 December Pianoforte lost 80 Berceuse pour le Piano 1863 Pianoforte 81 Heiteres Bächlein. Klavierstück 1863 July Pianoforte 82 La Rose de Alpes 1864 December Pianoforte 83 Frohe Botschaft. Mazurka 1864 February Pianoforte 84 L'Espérance. Mélodie 1864 July Pianoforte lost 90 Étude mélodique 1863 September Pianoforte lost 91 10 Poesien in 2 books 1864 November Pianoforte lost; Was Grossmama erzhält Scherzo Militar-Marsch Elegie In heiterer Stunde Finale Gretchen am Spinnrade Capriccio Sage Am Kamin 94 Valse-Impromptu pour Piano 1864 April Pianoforte 95 Transcriptions élégantes 1863 Pianoforte Work made up of 5 pieces; Rataplan de l'Opera: La Forza Destino, de G. Verdi Miscrere d'Opera: Il Trovatore, de G. Verdi