| Franz Abt |
Franz Wilhelm Abt, 1819-1885, was the son of a clergyman. Born at
Eilenburg in Saxony, he showed musical skill at a young age and was
enrolled in the Thomas School at Leipzig where he developed a passion for
choral conducting. He was kapellmeister at Bernburg in 1841, then moved
to Zürich in the same year. He became musical director at the court theater
in Braunschweig from 1852 to 1882. He visited America, where his songs
were very popular, and he was warmly received and appreciated for his
warmth and sense of humor. Abt was one of the most prolific composers
in European history and the most famous choral conductor in Germany,
leading every major choral society in the region at one time or another.
Eilenburg in Saxony, he showed musical skill at a young age and was
enrolled in the Thomas School at Leipzig where he developed a passion for
choral conducting. He was kapellmeister at Bernburg in 1841, then moved
to Zürich in the same year. He became musical director at the court theater
in Braunschweig from 1852 to 1882. He visited America, where his songs
were very popular, and he was warmly received and appreciated for his
warmth and sense of humor. Abt was one of the most prolific composers
in European history and the most famous choral conductor in Germany,
leading every major choral society in the region at one time or another.
His most famous song in America was "When the Swallows Homeward Fly".