J.G. de Ranken

[Mark Thomas]

Does anybody have any information at all about the composer J.G. de Ranken? He appears to have been a writer of polkas (Assemblée Polka, Louisen Polka), marches (Reisemarsch) and other such light pieces, which were published in the 1840s and 50s in Germany and Denmark. Beyond that I know nothing of him, and anything more would be most welcome.

[Alan Howe]

This entry says he was a 'Capellmeister' (conductor):
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=KBRDAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA311&lpg=PA311&dq=%22Assembl%C3%A9e+Polka%22&source=bl&ots=KA3U0NIw1_&sig=ACfU3U0SGD5_g-qtL_HCw3zTMkCxKvjhXg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwigmsf_3vPiAhXJi1wKHbf5D1EQ6AEwAnoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=%22Assembl%C3%A9e%20Polka%22&f=false

[Mark Thomas]

Thanks, Alan.

[Alan Howe]

Not a great leap forward in the information stakes, I must admit...

[Mark Thomas]

I find it really surprising that a composer whose opus numbers supposedly reached 235 (his Kathinka-Polka) should have left hardly any trace at all. Just a handful of mentions in Hofmeister and a couple of scores in libraries. That's it.

[Alan Howe]

Perhaps they're all occasional/light pieces that were once fashionable and have since sunk without trace.

Might any of the scores contain any details by way of a preface?

[Mark Thomas]

I've seen a couple of his scores, but they tell you nothing abut him. I'm sure you're correct, Ranken was a composer of no consequence even in his own day, but he is of peripheral interest because of some Raff research I'm doing - a first name or names (Johann Georg, perhaps?) and dates would be useful. De Ranken seems to be a Dutch surname, but today I came across a reference in a Danish journal of the 1840s to "Capellmeister de Ranken aus Wien", so who knows?

[Wheesht]

Not an easy name to research... Not all library catalogues and digitised newspapers are clear on how one best enters surnames with 'de' in front.

The 'Grazer Zeitung' of 7 and 8 February 1850 mentions a performance of a pantomime with dialogue in two acts, translated from the French "Der Orangutang", music arranged by "Cappellmeister J. G. de Ranken" – so he may indeed have been based in Austria. There is one other reference I have found, to the Louisen-Polka that has been mentioned: The "Signale für die musikalische Welt", issue 32, 1847 has the name as "Ranken, F. W. von" and in issue 29, 1852 there is this entry: Ranken, J.W., "Mad. Sontag Triomphe. March-Galopp p. Piano."
Digitised newspapers are a tremendous source of course, but they do not always help much...

[Mark Thomas]

Thanks very much. Greatly appreciated. We home in on Austria then, maybe.