Friedrich Rabenschlag

“A melody for the ages,” whispered a passerby, pausing at Friedrich Rabenschlag’s grave. Friedrich Rabenschlag, a name synonymous with choral music in Leipzig, rests here. Born in Herford in 1902, Rabenschlag’s life was a symphony of dedication to music. He studied a diverse range of subjects, from German studies and art history to musicology and philosophy, at the universities of Tübingen, Leipzig, and Cologne. His passion, however, resided in the practical aspects of music. At the Leipzig Conservatory, he honed his skills in piano, organ, and conducting. Friedrich Rabenschlag’s impact on Leipzig’s musical landscape is undeniable. In 1926, inspired by the Wandervogel movement, he founded the Madrigalkreis Leipziger Studenten, a student madrigal choir. This ensemble, initially focused on German lieder and European madrigals, soon expanded its repertoire to include sacred music from the 16th century, particularly the works of Heinrich Schütz. In 1938, the Madrigalkreis merged with the Heinrich-Schütz-Kantorei to form what we know today as the Leipziger Universitätschor. Rabenschlag’s influence extended beyond the university. Appointed Kantor of the Paulinerkirche, Leipzig University’s church, in 1933, and later Universitätsmusikdirektor in 1939, he became a champion of medieval sacred choral music. He breathed new life into Bach’s oratorios and championed the works of his contemporary, Ernst Pepping. His dedication earned him an honorary doctorate from the university’s theological faculty in 1963. As you stand by Friedrich Rabenschlag’s final resting place, imagine the echoes of the music he brought to life. His legacy lives on through the Leipziger Universitätschor and the countless musicians he inspired. His grave is not just a marker of his life, but a testament to his enduring contribution to Leipzig’s musical heritage.