Ferdinand Hiller (1811-1885) - Reproduktion eines Holzstiches u.U. von einem Stecher Sohl

Ferdinand Hiller, a conductor, composer and writer from Frankfurt came from a wealthy family. He took his first music lessons in his native town and later in Weimar with Nepomuk Hummel. Together with his teacher, he visited Ludwig van Beethoven in Vienna in March 1827 shortly before the composer's death.

From 1828 until 1835 Hiller lived in Paris where he made the acquaintance of Luigi Cherubini, Anton Reicha, Hector Berlioz and Gioachino Rossini. In the winder of 1839/40 he stayed with Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy in Leipzig and completed his successful oratorio "Die Zerstörung Jerusalems" (The destruction of Jerusalem). About three years later, he became Mendelssohn's successor as concert director for the "Gewandhauskonzerte" in Leipzig. Later he conducted the "Liedertafel", a choral society in Dresden. Between 1851 and 1852 he finally directed the Italian Opera in Paris.

Hiller composed a good 200 pieces from all musical genres, following the style of Robert Schumann and Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy. His notes and publications regarding the musical life and the musicians of his time are quite interesting.(S.B.)