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Franz Abt (1819-1885), German composer, choral director and conductor, received his first musical instruction from his father, a minister. He attended the Thomasschule in Leipzig and later studied theology at the university there, where he came in contact with Robert Schumann, Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy and Albert Lortzing. In 1841 he went to Zürich to direct the choir at the Aktientheater. After 1844 he devoted himself entirely to the flourishing Swiss choral societies, directing several choirs. During this time he composed many of his solo songs and works for male chorus. In 1852 he was called to Braunschweig to be the court Kapellmeister.
His simple, folksonglike compositions are marked by fluid melodic invention. Many became very popular ("Wenn die Schwalben heimwärts ziehn" "When the swallows return home"). He wrote more than 3000 compositions.
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