Langstroth, Ivan, 1887-1971

Ivan Shed Langstroth, born 1887 in Alameda, Calif., American composer, pianist, and teacher. After study in Berlin, he taught and composed in Vienna, then in New York until his death in 1971.

American composer, pianist, and teacher, Ivan Shed Langstroth (1887-1971), was perhaps best known for his compositions for organ.

Langstroth, who was born in Alameda, California, received his early musical training in San Francisco with Theodore Vogt, and in Berlin at the Hochschule für Musik. His composition teachers were Paul Juon and Engelbert Humperdinck, and he studied piano with Josef Lhevinne. Langstroth remained in Europe for many years. Between 1917 and 1920, he toured Scandinavia as a concert pianist, then settled in Vienna where he taught composition and theory at the Neue Wiener Konservatorium from 1921 until 1928. After returning to the United States, Langstroth taught at various institutions in New York City, including the Chatham Square Music School, City College, and Brooklyn College.

Biographical Sketch

Ivan Shed Langstroth, American composer, pianist, and teacher, was born in Alameda, California on October 16, 1887. He received his early musical training in San Francisco with Theodore Vogt, then in Berlin at the Hochschule fur Musik. His teachers were Paul Juon and Engelbert Humperdinck in composition and Josef Lhevinne in piano.

After his student days he remained on the continent. In 1915 he was a coach at the Kiel opera, and in 1916 he served as organist at the American Church in Berlin. Between 1917 and 1920 he toured Scandinavia as a concert pianist, then settled in Vienna where he taught composition and theory at the Neue Wiener Konservatorium from 1921 until 1928.

Returning to the United States he taught at Chatham Square Music School in New York, City College, and Brooklyn College. Langstroth died in New York City on April 18, 1971.

Just before his passing, Langstroth gave all of his works to Henriette de Saussure (Blanding) Lehman, his friend and patroness, who lived in Palm Springs, California, with the understanding that they would be deposited with a California institution.

In January, 1974, Benjamin H. Lehman, emeritus Professor of English at Berkeley, who carried out Henriette's trust, presented the Langstroth papers to the Music Library.

Ivan Shed Langstroth, American composer, pianist, and teacher, was born in Alameda, California on October 16, 1887. He received his early musical training in San Francisco with Theodore Vogt, and in Berlin at the Hochschule für Musik. His composition teachers were Paul Juon and Engelbert Humperdinck, and he studied piano with Josef Lhevinne.

After finishing school he remained on the continent. In 1915 he was a coach at the Kiel Opera, and in 1916 he served as organist at the American Church in Berlin. Between 1917 and 1920 he toured Scandinavia as a concert pianist, then settled in Vienna where he taught composition and theory at the Neue Wiener Konservatorium from 1921 until 1928

After returning to the United States he taught in New York at Chatham Square Music School, City College and Brooklyn College. Langstroth died in New York City on April 18, 1971.

Source: Inventory of the Ivan Langstroth collection, 1910-1968, University of California, Berkeley (Accessed 26 Sept. 2007) http://www.oac.cdlib.org/findaid/ark:/13030/tf596nb1w7