Praeger, Ferdinand (Christian Wilhelm)
Praeger, Ferdinand (Christian Wilhelm)
Praeger, Ferdinand (Christian Wilhelm) , German pianist, writer on music, and composer; b. Leipzig, Jan. 22, 1815; d. London, Sept. 2, 1891. His father, Heinrich Aloys Praeger (b. Amsterdam, Dec. 23, 1783; d. Magdeburg, Aug. 7, 1854), was a violinist, guitarist, and composer who served as director of the theaters in Leipzig (1818–28), Magdeburg, and Hannover. Ferdinand studied cello before taking up the piano. After moving to The Hague as a teacher in 1831, he pursued training in piano, violin, and composition. In 1834 he settled in London, where he was active as a teacher. From 1842 he was the London correspondent of the Neue Zeitschrift für Musik. Praeger was one of the earliest champions of Wagner. He publ. the mendacious account Wagner as I Knew Him (London, 1855; Ger. tr., 1892, as Wagner, wie ich ihn kannte). After its exposure, the German publisher withdrew it. His compositions included the overture Abellino, a symphonic prelude to Byron’s Manfred, chamber music, piano pieces, and songs.
Bibliography
H. Chamberlain, Richard Wagners echte Briefe an F. P.: Kritik der P.’sehen Veröffentlichungen (Bayreuth, 1894; 2nd ed., rev., 1908).
—Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire