Hermann Necke (8 November 1850 – 15 February 1912)[1] was a German composer, conductor, music director, pianist, and violinist of the Romantic period.

While seldom heard today, Necke's prolific output of songs, choruses, and instrumental works (upwards of 400 opus numbers) was well-known during his lifetime.

[4] The Dürener Männergesangverein was founded on September 6, 1877 by members of a similar group when the disagreeable personality of a newly elected conductor caused many to resign.

According to Hildegard von Radzibor (1969, p. 76), the association's sole purpose as laid out by Necke was to revive and improve men's singing in a convivial manner through weekly meetings and practical exercise; to accomplish this, the Männergesangverein put on numerous private and public performances.

Starting in 1884, Necke began to organize larger "Liedertafel" concerts that invited figures such as composer-pianist Franz Litterscheid.