Ludwig Rellstab

Ludwig Rellstab, born on April thirteenth, seventeen ninety-nine, was a prominent German poet and music critic whose influence resonated throughout the musical landscape of his time. Born and raised in Berlin, he was the son of the esteemed music publisher and composer Johann Carl Friedrich Rellstab. An accomplished pianist, Rellstab's passion for music led him to contribute articles to various periodicals, including the notable liberal Vossische Zeitung.

In addition to his journalistic endeavors, Rellstab founded the music journal Iris im Gebiete der Tonkunst, which thrived in Berlin from eighteen thirty to eighteen forty-one. His candid critiques, particularly against the influence of Gaspare Spontini in Berlin, even resulted in his imprisonment in eighteen thirty-seven. This boldness earned him recognition as one of the first great music critics, as noted by Max Graf.

Rellstab's significant impact on music criticism granted him considerable power over the selection of music for German nationalistic purposes during the mid-nineteenth century. His writings were widely popular, and his endorsement was crucial for musicians seeking to establish their careers in a landscape shaped by German nationalism.

Among his notable contributions, Rellstab penned the lyrics for the first seven songs of Franz Schubert's Schwanengesang, which were passed to Schubert by Beethoven's assistant, Anton Schindler. He is also credited with giving Beethoven's Piano Sonata No. 14 in C-sharp minor, Op. 27/2, its iconic nickname, the Moonlight Sonata.

Rellstab's opinions extended to the works of Chopin, where he famously contrasted Chopin's nocturnes with those of John Field, suggesting that Chopin's compositions were a more intense and exaggerated reflection of Field's delicate style. His critiques and insights into the music of his time continue to resonate, marking him as a pivotal figure in the history of music criticism.