Matthias Keller

Born: March 20, 1813, Ulm, Germany.
Died: October 13, 1875, Boston, Massachusetts.

Keller studied music training in Stuttgart and Vienna, played violin the Viennese Royal Chapel, and was an army bandmaster for several years. He moved to America in 1846, where he played in theaters in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He later began making violins, and conducted opera in New York City. His works include:

A Collection of Poems, 1874

--www.hymntime.com/tch

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Keller was born in Germany. He studied music in Stuttgart and Vienna, he and served as a bandmaster for several years before immigrating to America in 1846. Keller pieced together a living as a performer and violin-maker, but shortly after the Civil War, he tried his hand at composing when the federal government offered a prize for the composition of an original national hymn. When it debuted before the New York Academy of Music, his composition, “An American Hymn,” was poorly received. In fact, the prize committee did not deem any of the entries worthy of an award. But in Boston, Keller’s song was better received, and soon it was a favorite among the city’s wind bands. In attaching his words to this popular song, Holmes hedged his bet; the 50,000 people gathered for the opening ceremonies of the Peace Jubilee were certain to like his piece.

--www.shmoop.com/hymn-of-peace/