Frédéric Louis Ritter
Encyclopedia
Frédéric Louis Ritter was a German-American composer
and author
.
, and studied under Moritz, Hauser, and Schletterer. In 1856 he came to the United States, resided for some years in Cincinnati, where he founded the Cecilia and Philharmonic Societies, and in 1861 moved to New York City and conducted the Sacred Harmonic and Arion Societies. In New York, he married Fannie Raymond, his second wife. In 1867 he organized New York's first musical festival. The same year, he was appointed professor of music at Vassar College
, although he didn't move to the campus in Poughkeepsie
until 1874.
He received a doctorate
from the University of New York
in music in 1878. He held the Vassar post until his death in Antwerp. Albert Metcalf bought his music library and gave it to Tufts University
.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
.
Biography
He was born in StrasbourgStrasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital and principal city of the Alsace region in eastern France and is the official seat of the European Parliament. Located close to the border with Germany, it is the capital of the Bas-Rhin département. The city and the region of Alsace are historically German-speaking,...
, and studied under Moritz, Hauser, and Schletterer. In 1856 he came to the United States, resided for some years in Cincinnati, where he founded the Cecilia and Philharmonic Societies, and in 1861 moved to New York City and conducted the Sacred Harmonic and Arion Societies. In New York, he married Fannie Raymond, his second wife. In 1867 he organized New York's first musical festival. The same year, he was appointed professor of music at Vassar College
Vassar College
Vassar College is a private, coeducational liberal arts college in the town of Poughkeepsie, New York, in the United States. The Vassar campus comprises over and more than 100 buildings, including four National Historic Landmarks, ranging in style from Collegiate Gothic to International,...
, although he didn't move to the campus in Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie can refer to:*Poughkeepsie, New York, a city in Dutchess County, New York and its county seat**Poughkeepsie , a railroad station in the same city*Poughkeepsie , New York, a town surrounding the city...
until 1874.
He received a doctorate
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
from the University of New York
University of New York
University of New York may refer to:*University of New York in Prague, Czech Republic*University of New York Tirana, Albania* University of New York, fictional university on the American television series Felicity , modelled on New York University-See also:*There is no institution of higher...
in music in 1878. He held the Vassar post until his death in Antwerp. Albert Metcalf bought his music library and gave it to Tufts University
Tufts University
Tufts University is a private research university located in Medford/Somerville, near Boston, Massachusetts. It is organized into ten schools, including two undergraduate programs and eight graduate divisions, on four campuses in Massachusetts and on the eastern border of France...
.
Works
He composed many songs, orchestral, church, and piano music. He wrote several works on music with his wife:- History of Music (1870–74)
- History Of Music in the Form of Lectures (1876)
- Music in England (1883)
- Music in America (1883)
- The Student's History Of Music (1884)
- Practical Harmony, Especially Designed For The Use Of Piano-Forte Students (1888)