Born: November 6, 1800 - Berlin, Germany
Died: August 10, 1886 - Steglitz, near Berlin, Germany

The German composer, August Eduard [or Eduard August] Grell, was the son of the organist of the Parochialkirche in Berlin. He received his musical education from his father, J.C. Kaufmann, Ritschl, and finally from Zelter, on whose recommendation he received the appointment of organist of the Nikolaikirche at the age of 16.

In 1817 August Eduard Grell entered the Singakademie, with which institution he was connected in one way or another fir nearly sixty years. In 1832 he became its vice-director, under Rungenhagen, after whose death he was in 1853 appointed director, a post which he held until 1876. In 1839 he was appointed Hofdomorganist, and in 1841 was made a member of the musical section of the Royal Academy of Arts, with which institution he was connected until 1881. In 1843-1845 he was Gesanglehrer of the Domchor. In 1858 he received the title of professor, and in 1864 the order pour le mérite.

August Eduard Grell was one of the most learned contrapuntists of his day in Germany, and his works show him to have been not only an ingenious theorist, but a richly gifted artist. His greatest work is a Mass in sixteen parts a cappella, besides which he produced psalms in eight and eleven parts, a Te Deum, motets, cantatas, an oratorio entitled Die Israeliten in der Wüste, and many songs and duets.

Source: Grove’s Dictionary of Music and Musicians (1952 Edition, Author: J.A. Fuller Maitland)
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (April 2006)

Use of Chorale Melodies in his works

Title

Chorale Melody

Year

Organ music: Praeludium and Chorale Prelude on Allein Gott in der Höh

Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr

1826

2 Chorale Preludes in G major on den Choral Allein Gott in der Höh (1826) from 15 Pieces/Compositions for Organ

Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr

1829/30

Komm, Heiliger Geist, Motet for Male Chorus

Komm, Heiliger Geist, Herre Gott

Links to other Sites

August Eduard Grell, 4. Direktor der Sing-Akademie zu Berlin [German]
Eduard Grell - Wikipedia [German]

August Eduard Grell (Edition Dohr) [German]
Grell, August Eduard (Berlin Lexikon) [German]

Bibliography

Heinrich Bellermann: Biographie Grells (1889)

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