Neithardt, Heinrich August

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Neithardt, Heinrich August

Neithardt, Heinrich August, German conductor and composer; b. Schleiz, Aug. 10, 1793; d. Berlin, April 18, 1861. After studying music, he served in the army (1813–15) and subsequently was bandmaster of the Garde- Schützen-Battaillon (1816–22) and the Kaiser Franz Grenadiers (1822–40). In 1839 he was named royal music director. He also founded the choir of the Berlin Cathedral in 1843, which he led on tours of Germany and other nations. As a composer, Neithardt is best remembered for the Prussian anthem Ich bin ein Preusse, kennt ihr meine Farben? (1826). He also wrote an opera, Manfred und Julietta (Die schöne Dalmatinerin) (Königsberg, 1834), much music and arrangements for band, choral works, chamber music, and piano pieces.

—Laura Kuhn/Dennis Mclntire

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