Schulz, Johann Abraham Peter

Schulz, Johann Abraham Peter, esteemed German conductor and composer; b. Lüneburg, March 31, 1747; d. Schwedt an der Oder, June 10, 1800. He studied with J.C. Schmügel in Lüneburg and Kirnberger in Berlin (1765–68). From 1768 to 1773 he was accompanist and music teacher to Princess Sapieha Woiwodin von Smolensk of Poland, with whom he traveled throughout Europe. He returned to Berlin as music director of the new French theater in 1776 and of the private theater of the Prussian crown princess Friederike Luise in 1778. From 1780 to 1787 he was court composer to Prince Heinrich, the brother of the king, in Rheinsberg. In 1787 he went to Copenhagen as Hofkapellmeister and director of the Royal Danish Theater, positions he held with distinction until tuberculosis compelled him to step down in 1795. He spent his last years in Berlin and Rheinsberg, visiting Schwedt an der Oder intermittently for his health. He was known primarily for his marked ability as a lieder composer.

Works

DRAMATIC : Das Opfer der Nymphen (for the birthday of Friedrich the Great; 1774); Clarissa, oder Das unbekannte Dienstmädchen (Berlin, 1775); Musique de l’impromptu (e. 1779); La Fée Urgèle, ou Ce qui plaît aux dames (1780–81; Rheinsberg, 1782; rev. version in Ger., Berlin, 1789); La Vérité; (Rheinsberg, 1785); Panomphée (e. 1785); Athalie (Rheinsberg, 1785; rev. version, Berlin, 1786); Minona oder Die Angelsachsen (Hamburg, 1786); Aline, reine de Golconde (Rheinsberg, 1787); Indtoget (1789–90; Copenhagen, Feb. 26, 1793); Hastgildet (Copenhagen, Sept. 16, 1790); Peters bryllup (Copenhagen, Dec. 12, 1793). VOCAL : Oratorios : Maria og Johannes (1787–88); Christi d0d (Christiansborg, 1792); Frelserens sidste Stund (Copenhagen, March 1794). Cantatas : Vater, bester lebe for Voice and Orch. (Berlin, 1774); Universitiets-kantata til dea af H. v. Stampe (Copenhagen, 1789); Kantata til Kronprinds Fredericks formoeling (Copenhagen, 1790); Sorge-sange da Prindsesse Sophie Frederike bisattes (Roskilde, Dec. 28, 1794); Jesu Minde (1794). Other : Motets, hymns, and other sacred works, and lieder, including (25) Gesänge am Clavier (Berlin and Leipzig, 1779), (48) Lieder im Volkston (3 vols., Berlin, 1782–85), Johann Peter Uzens lyrische Gedichte religiösen Inhalts (Hamburg, 1784; second ed., 1794), and Gedichte von Friederike Brun, geboren Munter (Zürich, 1795). OTHER : Chamber music.

Writings

With J. Kirnberger, Die wahren Grundsätze zum Gebrauche der Harmonie…als Zusatz zu der Kunst des reinen Satzes in der Musik (Berlin and Königsberg, 1773; second ed., 1793; pubi. as Kirnberger’s); Entwurf einer neuen und leichtverständlichen Musiktablatur (Berlin, 1786); Gedanken über den Einfluss der Musik auf die Bildung eines Volks (Copenhagen, 1790; Danish tr., 1790); Über den Choral und die ältere Literatur desselben (second ed., Erfurt, 1872).

Bibliography

C. Klunger, J.S.P. S. in seinen volkstümlichen Liedern (Leipzig, 1909); O. Riess, J.A.P. S.’ Leben (Leipzig, 1913); E. Schmitz, Unverwelkter Volkslied-Stil J.A.P. S. und J.H. Voss (Kassel and Basel, 1960); F. Jekutsch, J. Kremer, and A. Schnoor, eds., Christian Flor (1626–1697), J.A.P. S. (1747–1800): Texte und Dokumente zur Musikgeschichte Lüneburgs (Hamburg, 1997).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire