Historisch-biographisches Lexikon der Tonkünstler, published in 1790 and 1792, established a systematic approach to documenting musical history. Its author, Ernst Ludwig Gerber, spent his life in Sondershausen, Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, where he balanced a career as a court musician with an exhaustive commitment to the study of musical literature and biography.
Early Life and Education
Born in 1746 in Sondershausen, Ernst Ludwig Gerber began his musical development under his father, Heinrich Nikolaus Gerber. His father, an organist who studied under J. S. Bach, provided the foundational training that allowed the younger Gerber to advance quickly. In 1765, he relocated to Leipzig for law studies, but he soon shifted his focus entirely toward music. During this period, he joined the orchestra of Johann Adam Hiller as a cellist, gaining direct exposure to professional performance environments.
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Upon returning to Sondershausen, Gerber transitioned into a career centered on court and educational duties. He initially secured a position as a music instructor for the prince’s children. Following the death of his father in 1775, he succeeded him as the court organist, holding this role for the remainder of his life. Throughout his career, he functioned as a multifaceted musician, applying his skills as a composer, organist, and cellist within the professional constraints of his region.
Scholarly Contributions
Gerber dedicated significant time to the history of music, acquiring proficiency in several modern languages to conduct his research. His lexicographical efforts culminated in the 1790 release of his dictionary of musicians. He later expanded this work significantly, publishing an improved, four-volume series titled Neues Historisch-biographisches Lexikon der Tonkünstler between 1810 and 1814. Beyond these encyclopedic projects, he wrote for musical periodicals and published minor compositions. His scholarly impact was also facilitated by his private collection, which included a manuscript containing over 200 chorale melody settings from the Bach family.
Fast facts
- Born: 1746, Sondershausen
- Died: 1819, Sondershausen
- Nationality: Schwarzburg-Sondershausen
- Primary occupations: Composer, musicologist, organist, cellist
- Major work: Historisch-biographisches Lexikon der Tonkünstler (1790-1792)
- Secondary work: Neues Historisch-biographisches Lexikon der Tonkünstler (1810-1814)
Questions readers ask
What was Gerber's professional background?
He was a trained musician who served as a court organist and a music teacher for the prince of Sondershausen.
Why is his biographical dictionary significant?
It provided a comprehensive historical and biographical record of musicians, which he expanded significantly in a later edition published between 1810 and 1814.
Achievements
- Instruments: organ
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