Franz, Robert

views updated Jun 08 2018

Franz, Robert [ Robert Knauth] (b Halle, 1815; d Halle, 1892). Ger. composer. A set of his songs was highly praised by Schumann in 1843 and won the attention of Mendelssohn, Liszt, and others. Appointed org. at Halle, becoming mus. dir. of Halle Univ. 1851. Retired 1868 because of illness; thereafter ed. works of Bach and Handel, supplying additional accs., and comp. some choral mus. His reputation rests on his 300 Lieder, which some enthusiasts rank alongside those of Schubert and Schumann.

More From encyclopedia.com