Peter Cornelius
'The carol Three Kings from Persian lands afar against a chorale accompaniment is our only link now with the German composer Peter Cornelius, born on Christmas Eve 1824 at Mainz. His comic opera The Barber of Baghdad was first heard at Weimar in 1858 and produced by Liszt. Cornelius was friendly with Wagner, taught at Munich University, and continued with more operas and much vocal music. He died at Mainz on 26 October 1874, of a liver complaint.' - Basil Ramsey
German composer, poet, translator and writer Carl August Peter Cornelius played the violin and wrote music from an early age. While in his twenties he lived in Berlin, meeting Felix Mendelssohn and other prominent figures.
His first mature works were written whilst he lived in Weimar (1852-8). Later, living in Vienna, he met Richard Wagner, who asked him to move to Munich. Cornelius also knew Franz Liszt and Hans von Bülow.
Peter Cornelius died from diabetes in Mainz on 26 October 1874, aged forty-nine.
Cornelius is known for his Stabat Mater (1849), several operas and a Mass in D minor. In the UK he's known for one of his Weihnachtslieder, Op 8 of 1856 which, translated into English, appears in the Oxford University Press Carols for Choirs series as Three Kings from Persian lands afar ...
A selection of articles about Peter Cornelius
Ensemble. Birthday Boys - Mike Wheeler reports from a celebratory Sitwell Singers concert featuring Bruckner and Cornelius
Ensemble. Plenty of Expressive Contrast - The Sitwell Singers' 2022 Christmas concert, reviewed by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Nicely Contrasted - Mike Wheeler listens to Christmas music from Derby Bach Choir, Derventio Brass and Old Vicarage School Choir
CD Spotlight. Hugely Educational - Christiane Karg's new album, heard by Keith Bramich. '... great clarity and precision in Christiane Karg's voice and sensitive support from Gerold Huber ...'
Ensemble. Punchy Treatment - Derby Choral Union at Christmas, heard by Mike Wheeler
CD Spotlight. Translucent Artistry - Vocal duets by Schumann, Mendelssohn and Cornelius, heard by Gerald Fenech. 'The two soloists exude immaculate performances full of smooth, silky singing, where every nuance behind each word and note is brought to light ...'
Ensemble. A Pleasant Change - Derby Choral Union's Christmas Concert, heard by Mike Wheeler
Ensemble. Limpid Clarity - 'The Barber of Baghdad' by Peter Cornelius, experienced by Mike Wheeler