Vinzenz (Vincenz) Lachner (born July 19, 1811, Rain am Lech – died January 22, 1893, Karlsruhe) was a German composer, conductor, and pianist. He was the youngest of four brothers, all of whom were musicians: Theodor (1788–1877), Franz Paul (1803–1890), and Ignaz (1807–1895). Born in Rain am Lech, approximately 40 kilometers north of Augsburg, Lachner was sent to Augsburg at the age of 14 to receive his education at a Gymnasium. By this time, he was reportedly already proficient in playing both the piano and violin. At 17, he was employed as a private music tutor for a Polish count's family in Poznań. Recognizing the need to further his own professional musical education, he dedicated himself to the study of composition. When his brother Franz moved to Stuttgart, Vinzenz relocated to Vienna to become the organist at the Calvinist church where his brother had previously served. In 1834, he succeeded his brother as Kapellmeister at the Kärntnertor Theater, and subsequently, in 1836, he assumed the position of Court Kapellmeister in Mannheim. In 1842, he conducted a season of concerts for the German Opera Society in London. In 1872, he moved to Karlsruhe, near the Franco-German border, where he taught at the local conservatory for over 12 years.

Works

Lachner, who published up to 82 works with opus numbers, differed from contemporary piano virtuosos in that piano music did not dominate his output; rather, he placed greater emphasis on vocal music (opera, Lieder, choral works). In terms of instrumental music, besides piano pieces, his compositions include:

• Overtures (e.g., Turandot, Op. 33-1; Demetrius, Op. 44)
• String Quintet (Op. 8)
• Piano Quartet (Op. 10)
• String Quartets (Opp. 27, 36)
• Character pieces for cello, violin, and piano.

Relationship with Brahms

Lachner also maintained a friendship with Brahms, who was 22 years his junior. His 12 Ländler with Interludes and Finale for piano were written as a birthday gift for Brahms. As seen in his Prelude and Toccata, Op. 57, Lachner's weighty compositional style, which emphasizes the bass register, shows similarities to Brahms.

References

• New Grove online
• François-Joseph FÉTIS, « Lachner (Vincent) », Biographie universelle des musiciens et bibliographie générale de la musique, vol. 5, Paris, Firmin-Didot, 1878, p. 155.