Evening star., 1933-01-12
BACH MUSIC FETE
HEAD SUCCUMBS
Dr.. J. Fred Wolfe Brought
Fame to Bethlehem, Pa,
With Festivals
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
BETHLEHEM, Pa, January 12.-Dr
j. Fred Wolfe, whose organisation of
Bach Music Festivals made him nation
ally known in music circles, died today
after a long illness. He was SO years
old.
Through his organization of the Bach
Choir Festivals, Dr. John Frederick
Wolfe brought national fame to Beth
lehem, Pa
The prestige Of the little Pennsyl-
vania town, gained through these festi-
walls, was similar to the enjoyed in Eu-
rope by Bayreuth because Of its Wag-
merriam festivals and OF Obersmmergau
with its world removed Passion Play.
Choir Is Conceded First Rank.
Musicians have conceded that the
work Of the Bethlehem choir has been
the most faithful Interpretation Of
Bach to be heard In this country, COM
pairing favorably with the interpreta-
tons of the great choirs Of the world
After completing his musical educa-
ton, Dr. Wolfe won recognition as
composer of hymns and anthems and
as sympathetic interpreter of Bach's
devotional compositions. He conceived
the idea of the Bach Choir for more
ambitious presentations of the work of
that great master.
The choir was launched in 1898
and two years later, in the auditorium
Of the Moravian Church, where DR..
Wolfe was organist, Bach's Mass in B
Minor" was sung. With announcement
that the Bach festivals would be pre-
sented annually. Bethlehem became the
Mecca OF music lovers on those occa-
stons. The festivals continued each
year until 1905, when all that had been
Gone previously was surpassed with q
Bach cycle, which was given in three
parts, each taking three days.
Goes TO California.
In the Summer of that year. DR..
Wolfe was chosen professor of music at
the University of California, where he
remained until 1911. In California he
conducted symphony concerts in the
great outdoor Greek Theater and also
organized the California Bach Choir.
Returning to Bethlehem he re-estab-
lished the Bach festivals, which have
been continued many years with an in
terruption in 1924 because Of the seri-
Gus illness of DR.. Wolfe. His choir
numbered 800 voices.
Born at Bethlehem, Pa, April 4, 1868,
DR.. Wolfe was the son of Rev. Francis
and Elizabeth Weiss Wolfe Descended
from family In which there were mu-
sicians for several generations, he
showed natural talent and began his
organ studies shortly after he was
graduated from the Moravian parochial
school.
Studied in Munich.
In 1881 he became organist Of Trinity
Episcopal Church at Bethlehem and
later organized the Bethlehem Choral
Union and the Easton Choral Society.
He went to Europe for further study
under Rheinberger at Munich. On his
return in 1885, he was appointed or
ganist OF the Moravian Church and
later was given the organ Of the Packer
Memorial Church at Lehigh University.
He filled both posts until 1905, when he
went to California,
DR.. Wolfe in recent years conducted
choral and oratorio societies at Harris
burg. Lancaster and York, Pa, and
conducted several performances of the
Bach choir at New York and Philadel-
phia. The Moravisn College at Bethle-
| hem and the University of Pennsylvania
honored him with the degree of doctor
! of music He was one of the founders
OF the American Guild OF Organists
and was q member Of various musical
organizations.
In July, 1885, DR.. Wolfe married Miss
Jennie Creveling Stryker of Hacketts-
town, N. J.