Franz, Robert 06/28/1815 - 10/24/1892

Robert Franz (Robert Franz Julius Knauth, 1815-1892) was a German composer. He was born in Halle an der Saale and studied composition with Friedrich Schneider in Dessau from 1835 to 1837. In 1837 he returned to Halle and in 1841 became organist in the Ulrichskirche, in 1842 conductor of the Singakademie and in 1859 university music director.



After his Twelve Songs were published in 1843, Robert Schumann discussed them thoroughly in his Neue Zeitschrift für Musik. He praised the hard work evident in these settings, which reproduce word for word the poems' profound thoughts.



Franz maintained friendships with Robert Schumann and Franz Liszt. In 1867 he had to leave his positions because of a hearing and nerve complaint. He is buried in the city cemetery in Halle.