Henry Edward Krehbiel

Henry Edward Krehbiel (March 10, 1854-March 20, 1923) was an American music critic and musicologist. Krehbiel was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He received a general education from his father, a German clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and began in 1872 the study of law in Cincinnati, Ohio. In June, 1874, he was attached to the staff of the "Cincinnati Gazette" as musical critic, which post he held until November, 1880. He then went to New York, where he became musical editor of the...See more

Henry Edward Krehbiel (March 10, 1854-March 20, 1923) was an American music critic and musicologist. Krehbiel was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan. He received a general education from his father, a German clergyman of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and began in 1872 the study of law in Cincinnati, Ohio. In June, 1874, he was attached to the staff of the "Cincinnati Gazette" as musical critic, which post he held until November, 1880. He then went to New York, where he became musical editor of the New York Tribune. He became an influential music critic, writing many articles for the Tribune, Scribner's Monthly, and other journals. He authored many books about various aspects of music, including one of the earliest examinations of African American music. He also annotated concert programs (including many of Paderewski's recitals). Krehbiel translated some opera libretti, including: Nicolai's Die lustigen Weiber von Windsor (1886), Paderewski's Manru (1902), and Mozart's Der Schauspieldirektor (1916). (Dates given are the first performance of the English translation.) He also translated the biography of Ludwig van Beethoven written by Alexander Wheelock Thayer, first published in English in 1921. Krehbiel was a strong supporter of music by Richard Wagner, Johannes Brahms, and Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky when they were not yet well known in America. See less