Biography
When he turned nineteen, Klein spent a short period in Paris, gaining support from Choron while receiving minimal assistance from Cherubini. As a largely self-instructed composer, he went back to Cologne following his time in the French capital, where he gained permission to lead amateur performances inside the cathedral. Recognition of his abilities by Thibaut, who would go on to form a friendship with him, opened the door for Klein to journey to Berlin and examine Zelter's instructional methods. Remaining in Berlin, he became familiar with the Institute for Church Music and gave vocal instruction at the University. During a twelve-month stay in Rome, Klein encountered Santini and delved into the study of earlier musical traditions. His sacred choral compositions earned him acclaim, including the title of the "German Palestrina." The masses and oratorios he created evoked the style of Handel. Although Schumann would later offer criticism, Klein employed a straightforward syllabic approach when setting lyrics to his songs. In total, he wrote more than one hundred lieder.
Singles