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Scan 62
Grove's Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 1918
24 lines. Read by computer on 11 September 2026. Printed page 40. See the scan on archive.org.
1advantage. At the same time it cannot be denied that his melodies are frequently trivial to absolute vulgarity; the structure of his concerted pieces is of the flimsiest kind; dance-rhythms prevail to an immoderate extent: all this no less than the choice of hasardé subjects seems to indicate a gradual decline from the serene heights of Boieldieu's humour. A memoir by Arthur Pougin was published in 1876.
3F. H.
5ADAM, LOUIS (Johann Ludwig), born at Mütersholz in Alsace, Dec. 3, 1758, died in Paris, April 11, 1848; a pianist of the first rank; appeared in Paris when only seventeen as the composer of two symphonies-concertantes for the harp, piano, and violin, the first of their kind, which were performed at the Concerts Spirituels. Having acquired a reputation for teaching, in 1797 he was appointed professor at the Conservatoire, a post he retained till 1843, training many eminent pupils, of whom the most celebrated were Kalkbrenner, Hérold, father and son, Chaulieu, Henri le Moine, and Mme. Renaud d'Allen, and last, though not least, his own more famous son, Adolphe Charles.
7Adam was a remarkable example of what may be done by self-culture, as he had scarcely any professional training, and not only taught himself the harp, and violin, and the art of composition, but formed his excellent style as a pianist by careful study of the works of the Bachs, Handel, Scarlatti, Schobert, and later of Clementi and Mozart. His Méthode de doigté (Paris, 1798), and Méthode Nouvelle pour le Piano (1802), passed through many editions.
9M. C. C.
11ADAM DE LA HALE. See HALE, ADAM DE LA.
13ADAM DE FULDA. See FULDA, ADAM DE.
15ADAMBERGER, VALENTIN, born at Munich, July 6, 1743. Remarkable for his splendid tenor voice and admirable method. He was taught singing by Valesi, and at his instance went to Italy, where he met with great success under the Italianised name of Adamonti. He was recalled to Vienna by the Emperor Joseph and made his first appearance at the German opera at the Hof-und-National-Theater there on August 21, 1780. In the interim, however, he had visited London, where he sang in Sacchini's 'Creso' at the King's Theatre in 1777. In 1789 he entered the Imperial Chapel. Later in life he became renowned as a teacher of singing. It was for him that Mozart composed the part of Belmonte in the 'Seraglio,' as well as the fine airs 'Per pietà,' 'Aura che intorno,' and 'A te, fra tanti affanni' (Davidde Penitente). He also appeared in the 'Schauspiel-Director' of the same master. In 1782 he married Maria Anna, daughter of Jacquet the actor, herself a noted actress. She died 1804. His daughter Antonie, also a player, a woman of much talent and amiability, was betrothed to Körner the poet, but their union was prevented by his death in action August 26, 1813, after which, 1817, she married Jos. Arneth, trustee to the imperial cabinet of antiquities. Fétis and others give Adamberger's name as Joseph, and his death as on June 7, 1803—both incorrect. He died in Vienna, August 24, 1804, aged sixty-one. Mozart's letters contain frequent references to him, and always of an affectionate and intimate character. Through all the difficulties and vicissitudes of theatrical life, nothing occurred to interrupt their intercourse, though evidence is not wanting that Adamberger's temper was none of the best. Mozart took his advice on musical matters, and on one occasion names him as a man 'of whom Germany may well be proud.'
17C. F. P.
19ADAMI DA BOLSENA, ANDREA. Born at Bolsena in Oct. 1663. On the recommendation of Cardinal Ottoboni (Corelli's patron) he was appointed master of the Pope's chapel, and acting professor of music. While in this post Adami wrote 'Osservazioni per ben regolare il Coro dei Cantori della Cappella Pontificia,' etc. (Rome, 1711), which is in reality a history of the Papal chapel, with twelve portraits and memoirs of the principal singers. He died, July 22, 1742, much esteemed both as a man and a musician.
21C. F. P.
23ADAMS, THOMAS, was born Sept. 5, 1785. He commenced the study of music, under Dr. Busby, at eleven years of age. In 1802 he obtained the appointment of organist of Carlisle Chapel, Lambeth, which he held until 1814, in which year (on March 22) he was elected, after a competition in playing with twenty-eight other candidates, organist, of the church of St. Paul's, Deptford. On the erection of the church of St. George, Camberwell, in 1824, Adams was chosen as its organist, and on the opening of the church (March 26, 1824), an anthem for five voices, 'O how amiable are Thy dwellings,' composed by him for the occasion, was performed. In 1833 he was appointed organist of the then newly rebuilt church of St. Dunstan-in-the West, Fleet Street, which post he held, conjointly with that of Camberwell, until his death. From their commencement Adams for many years superintended the annual evening performances on the Apollonicon, a large chamber-organ of peculiar construction (see APOLLONICON). For a period of upwards of a quarter of a century Adams occupied a very prominent position as a performer, and was commonly called 'the Thalberg of the organ.' Excelling in both the strict and free styles, he possessed a remarkable faculty for extemporising. His services were in constant requisition by the organ-builders to exhibit the qualities of their newly built organs, prior
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