Schaffer, Julius

1823-

 

Composer of songs and choral works; born at Crevese-in-the-Altmark, where his father was cantor. He studied theology at Halle, and while in that city became acquainted with Robert Franz, through whose influence and that of Gade, Mendelssohn and Schumann, whom he met through Franz, he took up the study of music seriously. He went to Berlin in 1850 and studied under Dehn. Five years later he was appointed musical director to the Grand Duke of Schwerin and founded and conducted the Schloss kirchenchor, modeled after the Berlin Theatre Choir. Schaffer next succeeded Reinecke in 1860 as musical director at the University and conductor of the Singakademie at Breslau. The title of royal musical director was conferred upon him in 1871 and that of professor in 1878. He wrote several text-books and excellent choral works, as well as many songs and part-songs, and was the author of a number of articles on musical affairs. Schaffer was one of the strongest champions of Robert Franz, with whom he allied himself at the time of the famous Spitta-Chrysander controversy over Franz's additional accompaniments to Bach's and Handel's scores.