Hofmann, Richard, 1844-1918

Richard Hofmann (30 April 1844 – 11 November 1918) was a German composer and music teacher who worked in Leipzig. Richard Hofmann was born in Delitzsch where his father was the municipal music director. He studied with Raimund Dreyschock (1824–1869) and Salomon Jadassohn and settled in Leipzig as a music teacher. He was Professor at Leipzig Conservatory and leader of the Leipzig Choral Society. Hofmann composed numerous instructive pieces for piano, string and wind instruments. Among his literary works are Katechismus der Musikinstrumente (A Catechism of Musical Instruments) published in 1890, and Praktische Instrumentationslehre (Practical Instrumentation, translated by Robin Humphrey Legge) of 1893. Notable students include George Strong, Donald Heins, Jean Paul Kürsteiner, Frank Welsman and Richard Wetz. Hofmann died in 1918 at the age of 74.