Hartmann, Johann Peter Emilius
Hartmann Emil, *21 February 1836 Copenhagen, †18 July 1898 Copenhagen, Danish composer and organist of German descent, the son of Johan Peter Emilius. He studied music theory and organ with his father, and piano with A. Rée. Already as a child he composed songs that were later published under the title Smaasange for Ungdommen (“Songs for the Young”). In 1858 his first publicly performed work, Passionssalme for soprano, chorus, and orchestra, was heard at the cathedral in Copenhagen. In 1859 the ballet Fjeldstuen was staged and achieved considerable success. Between 1860 and 1861 Hartmann continued his musical studies at the conservatory in Leipzig. After returning to Copenhagen, he became organist at Johanneskirke, and in 1871 organist at the church of Christiansborg Palace, where he remained for the rest of his life. During the 1891–92 season he conducted concerts of the Musikforeningen in Copenhagen. Hartmann travelled extensively abroad, chiefly to Germany, where he conducted his own compositions.
Emil Hartmann’s music was more highly regarded abroad than in Denmark, where he remained overshadowed by his father. Particularly well known was his orchestral arrangement of Scandinavian songs and dances, Skandinavisk Folkemusik, as well as other instrumental works such as Nordiske Tonebilleder and the symphonic poem Hakon Jarl. In Denmark the ballet Fjeldstuen and his late operas Ragnhild and Det store Lod also enjoyed popularity. Although Hartmann’s works drew upon folklore, they did not possess as strongly national a character as those of his father. They show certain influences of F. Mendelssohn and are distinguished by delicate orchestration.
Instrumental:
Quintet Op. 5, 1865
Nordiske Tonebilleder Op. 11 for piano
Arabeske Caprice Op. 16 for piano
Sonate instructive et facile Op. 17 for piano
Tänze und Arabesken Op. 23 for piano
overture Haermaendene paa Helgeland Op. 25 for orchestra
Trois mazurkas Op. 28 for piano
arrangements of national songs and dances Skandinavisk Folkemusik, Op. 30, for orchestra, also in a piano version
Claverstykker Op. 34 for piano
symphonic poem Hakon Jarl, Op. 40
Nonet Op. 43
suite Nordiske Folkedanse for orchestra
piano trios
2 violin sonatas
7 symphonies, including:
Symphony No. 1 in E-flat major Op. 29, 1880
Symphony No. 2 in A minor „Era Riddertiden” (‘the era of chivalry’) Op. 34
Symphony No. 3 in D major Op. 42, Copenhagen 1889
Vocal-instrumental, including:
Passionssalme for soprano, choir and orchestra, text B.S. Ingemann, pub. Copenhagen 1858
Havfruen (‘the mermaid) Op. 8, for choir and orchestra, 1866
Vinter og Vaar (‘winter and spring’) Op. 13a, for choir and orchestra
Ved Sommertid (‘in summer time’) for female voices
Rinaldo, cantata Op. 33
Mod Lyset, cantata Op. 33
works for male choir and male quartet
songs for voice and piano, including: Fire Sange Op. 1, 7 Romancer og Sange Op. 14, Lieder und Gesänge Op. 35, Sange i Folketone Op. 36
Stage:
operas:
Elverpigen (‘the elf maiden’), libretto T. Overskou, staged in Copenhagen 1867
Ragnhild, libretto J. Lehmann after H. Hertz, staged in Copenhagen 1896
Det store Lod (‘The Great Fate’), staged in Copenhagen 1897
Singspiele:
En nat mellem fjeldene (‘A night in the mountains’) Op. 3, libretto C. Hostrup, staged in Copenhagen 1863
Korsikaneren (‘The Corsican’), libretto A. Hertz after St. Georges, staged in Copenhagen 1873
ballets:
Fjeldstuen (‘The Mountain Lodge’), with A. Winding, libretto A. Bournonville, staged in 1859
En bryllupsfest in Hardanger (‘A Wedding Feast in Hardanger’), staged in 1897
stage music