Josef Gabriel Rheinberger, born in Lichtenstein March 17, 1839, was a respected pianist, organist, and composer. Rheinberger was involved in the performances of Wagner‘s “Tristan und Isolde” and “Die Meistersinger” by the Royal Opera.
Josef Rheinberger began serving as an organist in a Lichtenstein church at the age of 7. Rheinberger attended the Munich Conservatorium, and upon his graduation, served as a professor of piano and composition. In 1867, he married his former pupil, Franziska von Hoffnaass. “Fanny,” as Franziska was referred to, wrote many of the texts for Rheinberger’s vocal work.
Rheinberger was appointed court conductor of the royal chapel in 1877 and received a title of nobility in 1894. Later in his career, Rheinberger served as professor of counterpoint and organ at the Royal School of Music where his notable students included Engelbert Humperdinck.
Rheinberger’s influencers included Brahms, Mendelssohn, Schumann, Schubert, and Bach. His motet, Abendlied, is a popular download on the IPA Source website.
Besides 20 organ sonatas, Josef Rheinberger wrote operas, church, and chamber music. Today Rheinberger’s birth home houses the Liechtenstein Music School.
Josef Gabriel Rheinberger died November 25, 1901.
View 14 art songs as set by Joseph Gabriel Rheinberger on IPA Source:
Abendlied
Text by Joseph Rheinberger, Set by Joseph Rheinberger, from Drei geistliche Gesänge, Op.69, #3
Listen to UniversitätsChor München:
Also, listen to this very unique version of Abendlied by Quire of Cheahs, a one-person vocal ensemble featuring Phillip Cheah:
All’ meine Gedanken
Text by Felix Ludwig Julius Dahn, Set by Joseph Rheinberger, from Fünf Lieder und Gesänge, Op.2
Das Fischermädchen
Text by Heinrich Heine, Set by Joseph Rheinberger, from Zwei Lieder
Der Fischer
Text by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Set by Joseph Rheinberger, from Fünf Lieder und Gesänge, Op.2
Die Nachtblume
Text by Josef Karl Benedikt von Eichendorff, Set by Joseph Rheinberger, from Vier Gesänge, Op.22
Listen to bass-baritone Clemens Morgenthaler and pianist Bernhard Renzikowski:
Ein Stündlein wohl vor Tag
Text by Eduard Mörike, Set by Joseph Rheinberger, from Fünf Lieder, Op.31
Es fällt ein Stern herunter
Text by Heinrich Heine, Set by Joseph Rheinberger, from Zwei Lieder
Geheimnis
Text by Adolf Friedrich, Graf von Schack, Set by Joseph Rheinberger
Ich wandelte unter den Bäumen
Text by Heinrich Heine, Set by Joseph Rheinberger, from Fünf Lieder, Op.4
Mädchens Klage
Text by Friedrich von Schiller, Set by Joseph Rheinberger, from Wache Träume, Op.57
Listen to mezzo-soprano Anna Huntley and guitarist Jens Franke:
Nachtgesang
Text by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Set by Joseph Rheinberger, from Sieben Lieder, Op.3
Schilflied II
Text by Nikolaus Lenau, Set by Joseph Rheinberger
Sonntags am Rhein
Text by Robert Reinick , Set by Joseph Rheinberger, from Im neuen Frühling, Op.52
Um Mitternacht
Text by Eduard Mörike, Set by Joseph Rheinberger, from Fünf Lieder, Op.31