Albert Methfessel

Albert Methfessel (6 October 1785 – 23 March 1869) was a German composer, singer, musicologist, and conductor. Originally destined by his parents for service in the church, like his older brother, he left theological studies because of his great interest in music. Given a scholarship by local nobility, he was able to formally study music, and then return to his hometown of Rudolstadt to perform and sing for twelve years. He spent three years in Hamburg before becoming an itinerant musician for seven years. His period of greatest income was as Kapellmeister in Braunschweig from 1832 to 1842. His career was then hampered by health difficulties, but he continued to compose, write musical treatises, and correspond with his fellow musicians until his death in 1869. He is most well known for his vocal compositions, in particular, his works for students and for male voices. Early life and family Born Albert Gottlieb Methfessel in Stadtilm, Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt, on 6 October 1785, he was the son of Johann Christian Methfessel (1733–1816) and Sophia Marie (née Gölitz) Methfessel (1745–1818). Johann Christian was the local school teacher and Cantor in Stadtilm, while Sophia was the daughte