Friedrich Ruthardt (9 December 1802 – 23 May 1862) was a German oboist and composer. He was born in Stuttgart as the son of an oboist in the chapel of the king of Württemberg. He became cantor of the main church of this city. He played in the Stuttgart court orchestra (probably the Hofkapelle Stuttgart), and composed chorales as well as pieces for the oboe and the zither. Fétis claimed that Ruthardt was one of the most skillful players of the latter instrument in Germany. One of the best-known 19th-century oboe concertos, by Bernhard Molique, was likely written for Ruthardt, and first performed at Stuttgart in 1829. Two of his sons were also musicians: Julius Ruthardt (1841–1909), a violinist; and Adolf Ruthardt (1849–1934), a music teacher and composer.

Publications

Chorales

For zither