John Zundel
Encyclopedia
John Zundel was an organist
, composer, arranger, and pedagogue. Zundel was perhaps best known for his hymn tune
, "Beecher."
Zundel was born in Württemberg
, Germany
and emigrated to New York City
in 1847. There, he held various church appointments as organist, including at Plymouth Church in Brooklyn
where he briefly worked with Henry Ward Beecher
, inspiring the composition of the hymn tune by the same name. Zundel returned to his native country before his death in 1882.
Zundel's lasting contributions to music pedagogy
were his instructional texts. Principally, Zundel's Harmony and Zundel's Melodeon Instructor, which are practically oriented texts written primarily for students of the organ or similar instruments.
Additionally, Zundel composed a number of preludes, postludes, voluntaries
, and fantasies suitable for church services.
As noted in the dedications of several of his works, he claimed to be (and may have been) a student of Christian Heinrich Rinck.
Organist
An organist is a musician who plays any type of organ. An organist may play solo organ works, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers or instrumental soloists...
, composer, arranger, and pedagogue. Zundel was perhaps best known for his hymn tune
Hymn tune
A hymn tune is the melody of a musical composition to which a hymn text is sung. Musically speaking, a hymn is generally understood to have four-part harmony, a fast harmonic rhythm , and no refrain or chorus....
, "Beecher."
Zundel was born in Württemberg
Württemberg
Württemberg , formerly known as Wirtemberg or Wurtemberg, is an area and a former state in southwestern Germany, including parts of the regions Swabia and Franconia....
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
and emigrated to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1847. There, he held various church appointments as organist, including at Plymouth Church in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
where he briefly worked with Henry Ward Beecher
Henry Ward Beecher
Henry Ward Beecher was a prominent Congregationalist clergyman, social reformer, abolitionist, and speaker in the mid to late 19th century...
, inspiring the composition of the hymn tune by the same name. Zundel returned to his native country before his death in 1882.
Zundel's lasting contributions to music pedagogy
Pedagogy
Pedagogy is the study of being a teacher or the process of teaching. The term generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction....
were his instructional texts. Principally, Zundel's Harmony and Zundel's Melodeon Instructor, which are practically oriented texts written primarily for students of the organ or similar instruments.
Additionally, Zundel composed a number of preludes, postludes, voluntaries
Voluntary (music)
In music a voluntary is a piece of music, usually for organ, which is played as part of a church service. In English-speaking countries, the music played before and after the service is often called a 'voluntary', whether or not it is titled so....
, and fantasies suitable for church services.
As noted in the dedications of several of his works, he claimed to be (and may have been) a student of Christian Heinrich Rinck.