31. Juli 2010
Regional Personalities
Heinrich Schütz
born: 8th October 1585 in Köstritz
died: 6th November 1672 in Dresden
Heinrich Schütz belongs to the most important composers of the early baroque period and was among the first German composers known in Europe before Bach. In Marburg he studied organ, composition and law. In Venice he was trained to be a musician. In 1617 he became director of music at court; afterwards he was elevated to be first director of music at court. Heinrich Schütz created the first German opera and the first modern German oratorio.
Georg Kresse
born: 1604 in Dörtendorf
died: 1st November 1641 in Auma
Lots of adventuresome legends entwine around Georg Kresse. Despite that, he is still known as the "farmer general" from the time of the Thirty Years’ War. Back then, many groups of soldiers crossed the region, which even worsened the local population’s bad situation. The farmer’s son Georg Kresse and his vassals offered strong resistance and saved local farmers from looting. On the 1st November 1641 he was shot down. In 1981/82 a film of his life was made.
Georg Samuel Dörffel
born: 11th October 1643 in Plauen
died: 6th August 1688 in Weida
The pastor and astronomer belonged to the most important scientists of the 17th century.
After his education in Plauen, Dörffel studied physics, astronomy and mathematics in Jena as well as theology in Leipzig. When his father died, he became a deacon in Oberlosa and Straßberg. Apart from theological issues, astronomy was his special field of interest. Many of his works deal with comets and their courses. One of his greatest discoveries is the fact that comets’ courses around the sun are similar to parabolas. In 1684 Dörffel moved to Weida where he continued his astronomical works.
Christian Deegen
born: October 1798 in Kahla
died: 1st December 1888 in Köstritz
In 1812 Christian Deegen began to cultivate dahlias. In 1824 Deegen moved to Köstritz and purchased the prince’s palace with a garden. Two years later he opened the first German market garden with dahlias. Today, Christian Deegen is said to be the founder of German dahlia cultivation. In memory of his merits, since 1998 the town of Bad Köstritz awards the "CH.-Deegen-Medaille" to great dahlia cultivators.
Julius Sturm
born: April 1816 in Köstritz
died: 2nd May 1896 in Leipzig
Julius Sturm was the most important Reuss poet of Late Romanticism. After his education in Gera, he studied theology at the university in Jena. During his studies he wrote poems and fairy tales. All in all Julius Sturm composed more than 30 books with poems and fairy tales. In memory of his works, a "Julius-Sturm-Memorial-Room" has been furnished in the former prince’s palace where the poet used to live once.
Bernhard Stavenhagen
born: 24th November 1862 in Greiz
died: 25th December 1914 in Geneva
Bernhard Stavenhagen was one of the most outstanding composers before Bach.
After his studies in Berlin, he went to Weimar where, in summer 1885, he became a student of Franz Liszt. In the following concert tours of many years through Europe and North America, he played a great number of own concerts. On the 28th April 1890, Stavenhagen became pianist at the court of Sachsen–Weimar and 4 years later he was chosen to be the first director of music. After that, he moved to Munich and worked as the king’s first music director. Apart from his concerts, Stavenhagen composed several operas. To honour his life and musical talent, the music school in his hometown Greiz was called after him.
Prof. Dr. Adolf Scheibe
born: 9th March in Zeulenroda
died: 20th April 1958 in Berlin
The physicist Prof. Dr. Adolf Scheibe is said to be the one who developed the quartz watch in Germany. After his education in Zeulenroda and Plauen he studied in Munich. In 1932 Scheibe took his degree in Jena. Together with Udo Adelsberger he developed the quartz watch in 1932.