Ehlert, Louis

Composer, music critic

born: 23.01.1825 in Königsberg

died: 04.01.1884 in Wiesbaden

He discovered his love of music on a trip to Moscow and moved to Leipzig in 1845 to study at the conservatory with Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy. After further music lessons with Wilhelm Fink (1783-1846), he first traveled to Vienna before settling in Berlin as a private music teacher in 1850. Through his marriage to the wealthy Clara Blochstieg, he rose socially and was able to choose the most talented pupils. He lived in Florence from 1863-65 before returning to Berlin. In 1869-71, Ehlert took on a teaching position at the school of higher piano playing founded by Carl Tausig (1841-1871). After Tausig's death, Ehlert became music teacher to the Duke's children at the court of Meiningen. In 1873 he settled in Wiesbaden.

Ehlert was also active as a composer. A spring symphony, an overture, a requiem for a child and numerous piano pieces, choral works and songs have survived. He had also made a name for himself as a respected music critic. His "Letters on Music to a Friend", his travel memoirs of the "Roman Days" and his essays "From the World of Sound" were published several times.