New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-10-25
OBITUARY..
ROBERT FRANZ.
Berlin, oct c4.-Robert Franz the welknown com
poser, died today.

Robert Franz one Of the great song writer's OF
Germany, was born In Halle on June %, 1918. He
was the son OF well TODD citizen who opposed his
desire TO become a professional musician, wishing
him TO pursue the usual university curriculum for
a young man OF his station II was only after hari
struggles and AT first even by stealth that the young
was able TO crafty his strong prediction for
music and 10 obtain the proper technical grounding for
his profession. Finally lie won the consent OF his
parents b devote himself Ia the study Of music and
to become IL pupil Of Schneider. a well known orcnn,t
Of Dessau and OF that time highly esteemed as II
composer. He remained with him two wears studying
harmony and oounterpoint. lie also tried his hand
at composition IN ambitious way. but later he had
the good sense 10 destroy these youthful efforts.
On his return 10 Halle. after his course of study
ie could obtain immediate employment Ia his
Profession. and Ms life for the next five years would
hive been blank but FIR his ardent devotion 10 the
study OF BGch's. Becthovchs and bChuberts works. OF
witch the first and last name were destined 10
leve their lasting impress In his own compositions
In $40 lie published his first set OF twelve songs,
shilf edcr' They were Of a quality that at
ono, attracted the attention OF Schumann-ever on the
waite TO assist and encourage unapprcciatcd genius
who poke Of them In enthusiastic in the Meme
2eitsorft uor Musk" and thereby for them
Tie mice and admiral on OF Mendelstoh Ohm and
List. Franz's growing rcpute soon brought him II
place organst and conductor In Ids raiivc town.
A. earl ls41 his hearing Logan to be impaired :
his trobleS were aggravated by severe ncr1ous
disorder. Rand IN ls6o he obliged 10 give mp hi
musical ruvlues altogether The distressing financial
diihcultc which this brought upon him relieved
by tie generous eXcrtlon Of several prominent
muSlclanSOf Germany, who b. a series of concerts
for his beeit assured him competence for the
of his H.
frdIn's ,rlginal work almost wholly I'm the dl
iecuOn OF he German Lied" in which he mad" for
himself d iique and dist nsustod position. lie pub.
lsIed 217 oung> for single voice with pidnoi rte
accompaniment, which among the most perfect
productions this form Of musical expression. and
"hich VIII I've HIM rank very close 10 The gr,atc-t
masters Of sCe writing. schubert and Schunnnn III,
othcr "llglhdlwOrhs include seven sacred choral
positions tanZ also devoted much time 10 editing
ana Arahglne the works OF I-ich and Handel for
performance b. furnishing additional Accomplishments
adapted 10 thc modern Orcnc.lr ;tppdrdtu,.
the place OF III old figured bass aud 10 pppvld. a
suitable substitute for the obsolete Instruments oi
p.Oict bN those 'wO masters. Tins cpussc W.. -"
occasion 0l a comfortable controversy In the musical
World upon ue rpptsty Of making chang, IA IA"
handiWOrk oi gre sDrpO controversy IN which
Franz vigorously d.foidcd his view, and praci
For several years Franz lad fvcd In seclsi0n. and
his death brings an ed u a peaceful ana SIN gary
uncvcntful life