A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Klingemann, Carl

by George Grove

KLINGEMANN, Carl, born at Limmer, Hanover, Dec. 2, 1798, was Secretary to the Hanoverian Legation in Berlin till 1828, when he was transferred to a similar position in London. He married, Aug. 10, 1845, the sister of Dr. Rosen the eminent Sanscrit scholar and Professor at University College, and was a man of great cultivation, considerable literary power, and a very rare judgment in music. Klingemann had been intimate with the Mendelssohns during his residence in Berlin, and when Felix came to London the friendship was warmly renewed. The famous tour in Scotland—the origin of the Hebrides Overture, the Scotch Symphony, and so much else was taken in company with Klingemann, and the journals, letters, and sketches were joint productions. (See Die Familie Mendelssohn, i. 214–294). Klingemann wrote the words for the Singspiel or Operetta so well known in England as 'The Son and Stranger,' excepting in the case of the song no. 12, 'Die Blumenglocken,' of which Mendelssohn wrote the words and Klingemann the music. [App. p.692 "and for Mendelssohn's opera 'Die Hochzeit des Camacho' also."] The title 'Symphonie-Cantate' for the Lobgesang was his. The Three Caprices (op. 33) are dedicated to him.

The following of Mendelssohn's songs are set to Klingemann's words—op. 9, no. 5; op. 34, nos. 3 and 5; op. 47, nos. 5 and 6; op. 63, no. 4; op. 71, no. 2; op. 84, no. 2; op. 86, no. 1. He also supplied a translation of Handel's Solomon for the occasion of the performance at Düsseldorf in 1835, when Mendelssohn wrote an organ part to the Oratorio. Six of his songs were published by Breitkopfs. Klingemann's house was at 4, Hobart Place, Eaton Square. Mendelssohn often staid there, and it was for long the resort of the German artists and literary men. He died in London, Sept. 25, 1862. For an affectionate notice of him see Hiller's 'Tonleben,' ii. 95.

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