A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Goetz, Hermann

GOETZ, Hermann, born at Königsberg, Dec. 17 [App. p.650 "Dec. 7"], 1840, died at Hottingen, Zürich, Dec. 3, 1876, a composer of some performance and greater promise. Though evidencing great musical ability at an early age, he did not receive any regular instruction till he was 17. After passing some time at the University of Königsberg, he at length decided on a musical career, and placed himself at the school of Stein at Berlin, where he was the pupil of Bülow in playing and Ulrich in composition. In 63 he succeeded Kirchner as organist at Winterthur, supporting himself also by teaching, and embracing any musical work that fell in his way. Meantime he was engaged in the composition of an opera adapted by J. V. Widmann from The Taming of the Shrew, and entitled 'Der Widerspänstigen Zähmung.' It was, after much delay and many disappointments (not unnatural with the first work of an unknown composer), produced at Mannheim Oct. 11, 1874. Its success, however, was great and rapid; it was played at Vienna (Feb. 75), Leipzig, Berlin, and a dozen other towns in Germany, and has recently (1878) been published in English (Augener. For a full analysis of the work see the M. Mus. Record for 1878). It was followed by a Symphony in F, also successful, and by a second opera, 'Francesca di Rimini' (Mannheim, Sept. 30, 1877). This, however, was not finished when its author, long a prey to ill health, died, as already stated. The first two acts were finished, and the third fully sketched; it has been completed, in compliance with Goetz's last request, by his friend Franck, and produced at Mannheim, Sept. 30, 1877. Besides the above works Goetz has published a P.F. trio, a quartet, and various Pianoforte pieces. [App. p.650 "Add to works mentioned in article:—Cantata 'Nänie' (Schiller) for chorus and orchestra, op. 10; Cantata 'Es liegt so still' for male chorus and orchestra, op. 11; six songs, op. 12; and 'Genrebilder,' six pianoforte pieces, op. 13. His posthumous works include a setting of Psalm cxxxvii. for soli, chorus and orchestra, first performed in England by the London Musical Society, June 27, 1879; Quintet in C minor for piano and strings (with double bass); a piano sonata for four hands, concertos for piano and violin; and several songs and vocal quartets."]

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