Melchior Ernst Sachs

Johann Melchior Ernst Sachs was a German romantic composer, who also held teaching and performing posts.
He studied first at Altdorf Seminary; taught in elementary schools from 1861 to 1863, and later entered the Munich College of Music and remained there from 1863 to 1865, before becoming a pupil there under Joseph Rheinberger, from 1867 to 1869, when it re-opened as the Royal Bavarian Music School, under the overall direction of Hans von Bülow.
Sachs conducted the Liederkranz Society from 1868 to 1872, and in 1871 was appointed a teacher of harmony at the Royal Music School. From 1869 until 1873 he conducted a male choral society at Munich, and he was the founder and conductor of the Tonkunstlerverein.
As a music theorist he held original opinions on many points. Most of his numerous compositions remain unpublished, but his work includes symphonies; symphonic poems; an opera, Palestrina, which was performed at Ratisbon in 1886; a ballad, Das Thal des Espingo, for chorus and orchestra; a "Pater Noster"; and one work of gigantic dimensions, Kains Schuld und ihre Sühne. This production was intended to fill seven evenings. He also composed many songs, and much piano music.

Selected works

8 Mädchenlieder for soprano and piano, Op. 6
3 Stimmungsbilder, for piano, Op. 11Waldbächleins Thalfahrt, etude for piano, Op. 12
2 Gesänge, Op. 14
Palestrina, opera
Kains Schuld und ihre Sühne
Bethanien, cantata a for female soloist, chorus, piano and string orchestra