German pianoforte teacher, born at Pretsch, near Torgau, in Saxony, on the 18th of August 1785. He studied theology at Wittenberg, preached and taught for a little time, and was connected with a piano factory at Leipsic. He taught the piano on a system of his own, which consisted of the most careful application of sense and intelligence to the teaching of technique and expression. His views on piano-playing and singing are expressed in the pamphlet Clavier und Gesang (1875). He also published a few studies and dances for the piano, besides some pamphlets, Verfall der Gesangkunst being the most noteworthy of the latter.
His daughter, Clara Josephine, was born at Leipsic on the 13th of September 1819. She began playing the piano at a very early age, making her first public appearance at the beginning of her tenth year. From that time she appeared repeatedly, both on the Continent and in England, until the death of her husband, Robert Schumann, July 29, 1856. She had married this one of her father’s most famous pupils, September 12, 1840, and was most instrumental in bringing out his compositions. After her husband’s death she appeared less frequently than before, until in 1878 she accepted the position of principal teacher of the pianoforte in Dr. Hoch’s Conservatoire at Frankfort. She died in 1896.
