Stiehl

Stiehl, family of German musicians:

(1) Johann Dietrich (Diedrich) Stiehl , organist; b. Lübeck, July 9, 1800; d. there, June 27, 1873. He studied organ in Lübeck with M. Bauck, whom he succeeded as organist of the Jakobikirche in 1835. He had 2 sons who became musicians:

(2) Carl (Karl) Johann Christian Stiehl , organist, conductor, teacher, and writer on music; b. Lübeck, July 12, 1826; d. there, Dec. 1, 1911. He first studied with his father, and then with Lobe in Weimar; completed his training at the Leipzig Cons. He taught organ and singing and served as a church organist in Jever (1848–58) and Eutin (1858–77); also was music director to the Grand Duke of Oldenburg (1860–77). He returned to Lübeck as a singing teacher in 1877, where he conducted the Singakademie until 1901; also was conductor of the Musikverein, and then founder-director of the Phil. Concerts (1886–96). He likewise wrote music criticism.

Writings

Zur Geschichte der Instrumentalmusik in Lübeck (1885); Lübeckisches Tonkünstler-Lexikon (1887); Musikgeschichte der Stadt Lübeck (1891); Geschichte des Theaters in Lübeck (1901).

(3) Heinrich (Franz Daniel) Stiehl , organist, conductor, and composer; b. Lübeck, Aug. 5, 1829; d. Reval, May 1, 1886. He studied with Lobe in Weimar, and later with Moscheies, Gade, and Hauptmann at the Leipzig Cons. In 1853 he went to St. Petersburg as organist at the Lutheran Church and conductor of a German choral society. He was subsequently active in Vienna (1867–69), Italy (1869–72), London (1872–73), and Belfast (1874–77). In 1880 he was engaged as organist at St. Olai’s Church in Reval. He wrote in all 172 opus numbers, including 2 light operas: Der Schatzgräber and Jery und Bätely; also Die Vision for Orch., 2 piano quartets, 3 piano trios, Violin Sonata, Cello Sonata, and numerous piano pieces of programmatic content.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire