Friedrich Herzfeld


Friedrich Herzfeld was a German Kapellmeister, musicologist and music critic.

Life and career

Born in Dresden, Herzfeld was Kapellmeister in Aachen, Dresden and Freiburg im Breisgau and was especially known as conductor of works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
From 1931 he lived in Berlin. From 1939 to 1942 he was editor-in-chief of the and from 1940 to 1943 chief press officer of the Berliner Philharmoniker. He wrote books about music and musicians and wrote reviews for music magazines. His most famous work is the "Ullstein-Lexikon der Musik", which first appeared in 1957 as the "Lexikon der Musik" and has since been published under various titles in several new editions and revisions.
The dancer and choreographer Konstanze Vernon was Herzfeld's daughter. The historian was his cousin.
Herzfeld died in Garmisch-Partenkirchen at age 70.

Publications