Gotthold Reimann facts for kids

Immanuel Gotthold Reimann (born January 13, 1859 – died March 19, 1932) was a famous musician and music teacher from South Australia. People often called him I. G. Reimann or Gotthold Reimann. He started a music school called the Adelaide College of Music. This school later became part of the important Elder Conservatorium.

Early Life and Music Studies

Gotthold Reimann was born in Hahndorf, South Australia. His parents were Bertha Leontine Reimann and Eduard Reimann. His father was a farmer who came to South Australia in 1850.

Gotthold started learning music at a young age. He studied singing and piano. His teachers included T. W. Boehm and Mrs. B. J. Price.

In 1880, Reimann traveled to Berlin, Germany. He continued his music studies there. He learned from famous teachers like Theodor Kullak and Hans Bischoff. He also studied at the Berlin Conservatorium with Xaver Scharwenka.

Founding a Music College

After his studies, Reimann came back to Adelaide. In October 1883, he opened his own music school. He named it the Adelaide College of Music. He started with 10 students. Over the years, the college grew. It taught as many as 250 students.

Reimann also encouraged other German musicians to come to South Australia. They helped teach at his college. Two of these musicians stayed and greatly helped music in the area. They were Hermann Heinicke, a violinist, and Hermann Kugelberg, a 'cellist. Heinicke later started his own orchestra. In 1889, Reimann made C. J. Sharp a co-director of his college.

Joining the Elder Conservatorium

In 1885, Joshua Ives came from England. He helped start a Bachelor of Music course at the University of Adelaide. In 1898, Reimann agreed to join his college with a new music school. This new school was the Elder Conservatorium of Music.

Reimann's college became the main part of the new Conservatorium. He was made the deputy-director. He also taught piano there. For its first two years, the Elder Conservatorium was even located in Reimann's old college building.

Work with Music Exams

Reimann was also very involved with music exams. The Australian Music Examinations Board was created. It was started by the Universities of Adelaide and Melbourne. Later, other Australian states joined.

Reimann was a delegate for this board. He was also one of the main examiners. He helped edit and explain many of the board's music publications.

Other Interests

From 1891 until he passed away, Reimann was an organist. He played the organ at the Lutheran Church on Flinders Street. He even brought a special Backmann organ back from Germany to use there.

Reimann's Family

Gotthold Reimann married Johanne Marie Lührs in 1883. She had been one of his students. They had several children:

• Carelen Edward "Karey" Reimann (born 1887)
• Valesca Leonore Olive Reimann (1888–1964) was a teacher. She taught for 30 years at Trinity College, Kandy in Sri Lanka. She also wrote a book.
• Hilda Marie Reimann (1892–1977) was a violinist. She played with the South Australian Symphony Orchestra.
• Dr. Arnold Luehrs Reimann (1898–1961) was a noted scientist. He was also a talented 'cellist.

The Reimann family lived in Norwood, on William Street.