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Carl Retter (1850 - 1921)

Carl "Charles" Retter
Born in München, München, Oberbayern, Bavaria, Germanymap
Son of [father unknown] and [mother unknown]
[sibling(s) unknown]
Husband of — married about 1872 (to 1908) in Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United Statesmap
Husband of — married 13 Jul 1909 [location unknown]
Father of
Died at age 71 in Centerville, Washington County, Pennsylvania, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 19 May 2018
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Biography

Carl was an American pianist, teacher, conductor and composer. He was born on 20 January 1850 to Carl Retter and Marie Baumann.[1] He was likely born in Bavaria near Munich, Germany, though the ship manifest for his 1871 emigration to the United States says Prussia. He settled in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.[2][3]

Little is known about Carl's early life. An article from the 3 October 1886 Cincinnati Enquirer states he was a favorite of Hans von Bülow who during his American tour, "requested of Otto Singer that he seek an opportunity for securing his services for Cincinnati". The article goes on to state that Retter studied organ, music theory and orchestration in Munich. This would place Retter at the Königliche Musikschule (today known as the Hochschule für Musik und Theater München) between the years 1867 and 1869 when Hans von Bülow was director there.[4][5][6][7]

Retter emigrated to the United States in 1871. He arrived in New York aboard the ship "Hansa" from the port of Bremen, Deutsches Reich.[8][9] He made his way to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to work. Carl is listed as a music teacher in both the 1872/1873 and the 1875/1876 Directory of Pittsburgh and Allegheny Cities.[10] [11][12] He met Lucie French, the daughter of Aaron French a wealthy Pittsburgh manufacturer through his work. While teaching Lucie piano, a romance blossomed.[13] Retter married Lucie French about 1872. Together they had four children: Lucy (1873), Caroline (1874), Clara (1878) and Ada (1880).[14][15][16][17] The marriage was not a happy one. The couple separated in 1888 but did not file for divorce until 1908.[18]

Retter's career was getting established. He taught music at Mrs. Hayward's and Miss Parke's Boarding and Day School for Young Ladies and Children located on Stockton Avenue in Allegheny City in 1882.[19][20]

Then in 1883 Carl made a trip to Germany. The purpose of this trip is unknown. He may have visited family in Munich. He may have renewed contact with his former mentor who was then serving as the Court Music Director of the Meiningen Court Orchestra. He may have been taking a break from his woes as his daughter, Clara, died that same year. [21][22] He returned to the United States on the ship "Main" departing from the port of Bremen as he had in 1871.[23]

In Pittsburgh, Carl was aquainted with Joseph Gittings, Sr., professor of music at the Pennsylvania Womens' College (now Carlow University). Gittings was well known for his post-concert parties which allowed music students, local professional musicians and international artists the chance to meet and mingle.[24] It is likely that Carl met Charles F. Cooper a cellist in Joseph's circle, this way.[25] Soon Carl Retter, Charles Cooper, George Toerge and Fred G. Toerge were playing professionally together as the Beethoven Quartet Club.[26] [27] [28] The Beethoven Quartet Club was active when Hans von Bulow gave his 25 April 1890 performance in Pittsburgh.[29]

In 1889 a benefit concert was staged in his honor by his friend and colleague, Joseph Gittings, Sr.. Many local artists performed at this concert including Elizabeth Pauline Cooper,the sister of Carl's Beethoven Quartet colleague, Charley Cooper.[30]

His compositions, "When Thou Art Nigh", and "When I am Gazing", were acknowledged in the February 1897 issue of "The Musician"

Following a divorce from Lucie, Carl married Ora Harrison daughter of Joseph Harrison and Mary O. Tower, on 13 July 1909.[31]

Carl Retter passed away on 9 July 1921. He is interred at Taylor Cemetery in Washington County, Pennsylvania.

Known students: Alice Brown Marshall[32]

Sources

  1. ↑ "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZX5-NQY : 10 December 2017), Carl Retter and Ora Harrison, 13 Jul 1909; citing Marriage, Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States, V73 P25, rn63098, Franklin County Genealogical & Historical Society, Columbus; FHL microfilm.
  2. ↑ "United States Germans to America Index, 1850-1897," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KD72-RM9 : 27 December 2014), Carl Retter, 08 Sep 1871; citing Germans to America Passenger Data file, 1850-1897, Ship Hansa, departed from Bremen, arrived in New York, New York, New York, United States, NAID identifier 1746067, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
  3. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16188441/the_cincinnati_enquirer/
  4. ↑ https://www.newspapers.com/clip/16188441/the_cincinnati_enquirer/
  5. ↑ Lott, R. Allen. "A Continuous Trance": Hans von Bülow's Tour of America. University of California Press. The Journal of Musicology Vol. 12, No. 4 (Autumn, 1994), pp. 529-549 (21 pages). https://www.jstor.org/stable/763974?read-now=1&seq=15#page_scan_tab_contents
  6. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_von_B%C3%BClow
  7. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Music_and_Performing_Arts_Munich
  8. ↑ "United States Germans to America Index, 1850-1897," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KD72-RM9 : 27 December 2014), Carl Retter, 08 Sep 1871; citing Germans to America Passenger Data file, 1850-1897, Ship Hansa, departed from Bremen, arrived in New York, New York, New York, United States, NAID identifier 1746067, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.
  9. ↑ "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS1N-ZBZ : accessed 18 March 2019), Carl Retter in household of Alfred L. Reber, Precinct 2 Pittsburgh city Ward 3, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 108, sheet 1A, family 8, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,357.
  10. ↑ https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt:31735055722825/from_search/-12#page/429/mode/1up
  11. ↑ https://historicpittsburgh.org/islandora/object/pitt:31735056286960/from_search/-10#page/541/mode/1up
  12. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MW6N-R71 : 16 July 2017), Carl Retter, Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district ED 103, sheet 96A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 1091; FHL microfilm 1,255,091.
  13. ↑ "Mrs. Carl Retter Not to Contest Divorce Suit". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 27 May 1908. Page 2. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=djft3U1LymYC&dat=19080527&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
  14. ↑ "Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2NB-87T : 11 February 2018), Carl Retter in entry for Carrie Retter, 28 Jun 1876; Birth, citing Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; FHL microfilm 499,269. Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City.
  15. ↑ "Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2N2-GJ3 : 11 February 2018), Carl Retter in entry for Clara F Retter, 11 Aug 1878; Birth, citing Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 499,270. Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City.
  16. ↑ "Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2JZ-F97 : 11 February 2018), Charles Retter in entry for Ada Retter, 23 Nov 1880; Birth, citing Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 499,272. Index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City.
  17. ↑ "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MW6N-R71 : 16 July 2017), Carl Retter, 1880; citing enumeration district ED 103, sheet 96A, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d), roll 1091; FHL microfilm 1,255,091.
  18. ↑ "Mrs. Carl Retter Not to Contest Divorce Suit". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. 27 May 1908. Page 2. https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=djft3U1LymYC&dat=19080527&printsec=frontpage&hl=en
  19. ↑ The Butler Citizen, Butler, PA, August 2, 1884, image 4. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86071045/1882-08-02/ed-1/seq-4/#date1=1789&index=17&rows=20&words=Carl+Retter&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Pennsylvania&date2=1963&proxtext=Carl+Retter&y=14&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
  20. ↑ The Butler Citizen, Butler, PA, August 23, 1884, image 4. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn86071045/1882-08-23/ed-1/seq-4/#date1=1789&index=16&rows=20&words=Carl+Retter&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Pennsylvania&date2=1963&proxtext=Carl+Retter&y=14&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
  21. ↑ "Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh City Deaths, 1870-1905," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZ7F-8QR : 11 March 2018), Carl Retter in entry for Clara French Retter, 08 Apr 1883; citing v 34 p 35, Allegheny County Courthouse, Pittsburgh; FHL microfilm 505,833.
  22. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meiningen_Court_Orchestra
  23. ↑ "New York Passenger Lists, 1820-1891," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QVSJ-G4TV : 12 March 2018), Carl Retter, 1883; citing NARA microfilm publication M237 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm .
  24. ↑ Dysart, Laberta, Chatham College, the First Ninety Years, Chatham College, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1960, pages 71-75. https://archive.org/stream/chathamcollegefi00dysa#page/71/mode/1up/search/Joseph+Gittings
  25. ↑ Dysart, Laberta, Chatham College, the First Ninety Years, Chatham College, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, 1960, pages 71-75.
  26. ↑ Pittsburg Dispatch; Pittsburgh, PA; 29 September 1889, page 5, image 5; Chronicling America; Library of Congress
  27. ↑ Pittsburg Dispatch; Pittsburgh, PA; 11 May 1890, page 5, image 5; Chronicling America; Library of Congress
  28. ↑ Pittsburg Dispatch; Pittsburgh, PA; 6 March 1892, page 14, image 14; Chronicling America; Library of Congress
  29. ↑ "The Music World. The Chamber Compositions of the Beethoven Quartet Club". Pittsburg dispatch. (Pittsburg [Pa.]), 13 April 1890. Page 5. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024546/1890-04-13/ed-1/seq-5/>
  30. ↑ "Crotchets and Quavers", Pittsburgh Dispatch, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Sunday, June 9, 1889, page 11. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024546/1889-06-09/ed-1/seq-11/#date1=1789&index=1&rows=20&words=Gittings+Joseph&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Pennsylvania&date2=1963&proxtext=Joseph+Gittings&y=12&x=16&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1
  31. ↑ "Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZX5-NQY : 10 December 2017), Carl Retter and Ora Harrison, 13 Jul 1909; citing Marriage, Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States, V73 P25, rn63098, Franklin County Genealogical & Historical Society, Columbus; FHL microfilm.
  32. ↑ International Who's Who in Music and Musical Gazetteer. Current Literature Pub. Co. New York, NY. 1891. Page 406. Collection of University of Toronto. https://archive.org/details/internationalwho00newyuoft/page/404

"Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2JZ-F97 : 11 February 2018), Charles Retter in entry for Ada Retter, 23 Nov 1880; Birth, citing Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 499,272.

"United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MS1N-ZBZ : accessed 19 May 2018), Carl Retter in household of Alfred L. Reber, Precinct 2 Pittsburgh city Ward 3, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 108, sheet 1A, family 8, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,241,357.

"American Composers", The Musician, Volume II, Number 2, Philadelphia, February 1897, page 1. "Pennsylvania Births and Christenings, 1709-1950," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:V2JZ-F97 : 11 February 2018), Charles Retter in entry for Ada Retter, 23 Nov 1880; Birth, citing Pittsburgh, Allegheny, Pennsylvania; FHL microfilm 499,272.

Forrest, Earle Robert, History of Washington County, S. J. Clarke Publishing, Chicago, IL, 1926, page 482.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024546/1889-05-23/ed-1/seq-6/#date1=1789&index=9&rows=20&words=Carl+Retter&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Pennsylvania&date2=1963&proxtext=Carl+Retter&y=14&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

"Ohio, County Marriages, 1789-2013," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XZX5-NQY : 10 December 2017), Carl Retter and Ora Harrison, 13 Jul 1909; citing Marriage, Cuyahoga, Ohio, United States, V73 P25, rn63098, Franklin County Genealogical & Historical Society, Columbus; FHL microfilm.

"United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MGCK-43S : accessed 19 May 2018), Carl Retter in household of Ora Harrison, Centerville, Washington, Pennsylvania, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 176, sheet 15A, family 286, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 1425; FHL microfilm 1,375,438.

"United States Census, 1920," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M6BS-8Q4 : accessed 19 May 2018), Carl Retter, Centerville, Washington, Pennsylvania, United States; citing ED 147, sheet 47A, line 33, family 858, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 1658; FHL microfilm 1,821,658.

Pennsylvania Death Certificate #66853, 6 July 1921.

https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024546/1891-04-22/ed-1/seq-4/#date1=1789&index=11&rows=20&words=Carl+Retter&searchType=basic&sequence=0&state=Pennsylvania&date2=1963&proxtext=Carl+Retter&y=14&x=13&dateFilterType=yearRange&page=1

Obituary for Carl Retter. https://books.google.com/books?id=0PM6AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA45&lpg=PA45&dq=carl+retter+composer&source=bl&ots=GdhgXMiEfN&sig=ACfU3U0I2tVNhPOgDnINPk1_CO_cQvFxPA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjU4ZyXxoDhAhWOPN8KHdWVA0wQ6AEwA3oECAQQAQ#v=onepage&q=carl%20retter%20composer&f=false

"Preparations for the May Festival and the Mozart Club Concerts". Pittsburg dispatch. (Pittsburg [Pa.]), 31 March 1889. Page 7. Column 7. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024546/1889-03-31/ed-1/seq-7/>

"Musical World". Pittsburg dispatch. (Pittsburg [Pa.]), 23 Feb. 1890. Page 5. Column 2. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024546/1890-02-23/ed-1/seq-5/>

"The Chamber Compositions by the Beethoven Quartet Club". Pittsburg dispatch. (Pittsburg [Pa.]), 13 April 1890. Page 5. Column 1. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024546/1890-04-13/ed-1/seq-5/>

"The Beethoven Quartet Club at Old City Hall- Finished Work of Mr. Retter and His Associates- Amusement Notes". Pittsburg dispatch. (Pittsburg [Pa.]), 26 Nov. 1890. Page 5. Column 7. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress. <https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn84024546/1890-11-26/ed-1/seq-4/>

"United States Germans to America Index, 1850-1897," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KD72-RM9 : 27 December 2014), Carl Retter, 08 Sep 1871; citing Germans to America Passenger Data file, 1850-1897, Ship Hansa, departed from Bremen, arrived in New York, New York, New York, United States, NAID identifier 1746067, National Archives at College Park, Maryland.


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hans_von_Bulow





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