REICHARDT, JOHANN, FRIEDRICH (b. Königsberg, Germany, 25 Nov 1752; d. Giebichenstein, 27 June 1814 )
Reichardt's work as a composer is now almost forgotten. However, he was an influential force in the early history of German Romantic music, particularly that of song.
Goethe was convinced that the essence of a good Lied was clarity and sensitivity in word-setting. Reichardt's awareness of this requirement is obvious in his four published books of songs, encompassing all of Goethe's lyrics written up to 1811. His influence on Schubert's song settings is great.