Philipp Julius Wolfrum (17 December 1854 – 8 May 1919) was a German conductor, musicologist, composer, organist and academic teacher. He was influential to university education in church music in

Heidelberg Heidelberg (; Palatine German language, Palatine German: ''Heidlberg'') is a city in the States of Germany, German state of Baden-Württemberg, situated on the river Neckar in south-west Germany. As of the 2016 census, its population was 159,914 ...

, and in 1907 became the town's

Generalmusikdirektor A music(al) director or director of music is the person responsible for the musical aspects of a performance, production, or organization. This would include the artistic director and usually chief conductor of an orchestra or concert band, the d ...

Career

Born in

Schwarzenbach am Wald Schwarzenbach am Wald is a town in the district of Hof, in Bavaria, Germany. It is situated 21 km west of Hof, and 23 km northeast of Kulmbach Kulmbach () is the capital of the district of Kulmbach in Bavaria in Germany. The town i ...

, Philipp Wolfrum was the son of Johann Heinrich Wolfrum, a teacher and church musician (''Kantor''). He first also worked as a teacher. On a scholarship, he studied from 1876 at the ''Königliche Musikschule in München'' organ and composition with

Joseph Rheinberger Josef Gabriel Rheinberger (17 March 1839 – 25 November 1901) was a Liechtensteiner organist and composer, residing in Bavaria for most of his life. Life Josef Gabriel Rheinberger, whose father was the treasurer for Aloys II, Prince of Liecht ...

, piano with Karl Bärmann, and choral singing and conducting with

Franz Wüllner Franz Wüllner (28 January 1832 – 7 September 1902) was a German composer and conductor. He led the premieres of Wagner's ''Das Rheingold'' and ''Die Walküre'', but was much criticized by Wagner himself, who greatly preferred the more celebrate ...

. From 1878 he was conductor, soloist and composer in

Bamberg Bamberg (, , ; East Franconian: ''Bambärch'') is a town in Upper Franconia, Germany, on the river Regnitz close to its confluence with the river Main. The town dates back to the 9th century, when its name was derived from the nearby ' castle. C ...

. In 1884 he was appointed an assistant teacher for music at the theology seminary of

Heidelberg University } Heidelberg University, officially the Ruprecht Karl University of Heidelberg, (german: Ruprecht-Karls-Universität Heidelberg; la, Universitas Ruperto Carola Heidelbergensis) is a public research university in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, ...

. There, he installed formal education in church music, and initiated public musical events in the town. In 1885 he founded the choirs ''Akademischer Gesangverein'' and ''Bach-Verein'' (now: ). In 1888 he was appointed

Außerordentlicher Professor Academic ranks in Germany are the titles, relative importance and power of professors, researchers, and administrative personnel held in academia. Overview Appointment grades * (Pay grade: ''W3'' or ''W2'') * (''W3'') * (''W2'') * (''W2'', ...

. In 1890 he published ''Die Entstehung und erste Entwicklung des deutschen evangelischen Kirchenliedes in musikalischer Beziehung'' (The origins and initial development of the German Protestant hymn). In 1894 he was awarded the title of , and in 1907 became

. Wolfrum was a friend of

Max Reger Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger (19 March 187311 May 1916) was a German composer, pianist, organist, conductor, and academic teacher. He worked as a concert pianist, as a musical director at the Paulinerkirche, Leipzig, Leipzig University ...

, who dedicated his choral work ''

Der Einsiedler ' (''The Hermit'') Op. 144a, is a composition for baritone soloist, five-part choir and orchestra by Max Reger, written in 1915. The German text is a poem by Joseph von Eichendorff, beginning "" (Come, consolation of the world, you quiet night) ...

'', op. 144a, to Wolfrum and his choir: "dem hochverehrlichen 'Bach-Verein Heidelberg' und seinem ausgezeichneten Dirigenten Herrn Geheimrat, Generalmusikdirektor, Professor Dr. Philipp Wolfrum" (to the praise-worthy 'Bach-Verein Heidelberg' and its excellent conductor,

Geheimrat ''Geheimrat'' was the title of the highest advising officials at the Imperial, royal or princely courts of the Holy Roman Empire, who jointly formed the ''Geheimer Rat'' reporting to the ruler. The term remained in use during subsequent monarchic r ...

Professor Dr. Philipp Wolfrum). Wolfrum conducted the premiere of this work and of the Hebbel Requiem, op. 144b, in a memorial concert for Reger in Heideberg on 16 July 1916, shortly after the composer's death. Wolfrum worked for the revival of the works of

Johann Sebastian Bach Johann Sebastian Bach (28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the late Baroque period. He is known for his orchestral music such as the '' Brandenburg Concertos''; instrumental compositions such as the Cello Suites; keyboard w ...

and

Franz Liszt Franz Liszt, in modern usage ''Liszt Ferenc'' . Liszt's Hungarian passport spelled his given name as "Ferencz". An orthographic reform of the Hungarian language in 1922 (which was 36 years after Liszt's death) changed the letter "cz" to simpl ...

. He published in 1910 a

monography A monograph is a specialist work of writing (in contrast to reference works) or exhibition on a single subject or an aspect of a subject, often by a single author or artist, and usually on a scholarly subject. In library cataloging, ''monograph ...

in two volumes ''Johann Sebastian Bach'' and was instrumental in the publishing of Liszt's complete works, publishing four volumes himself. Wolfrum died in

Samedan Samedan (, ) is a town and municipality in the Maloja Region in the Swiss canton of Grisons. It is served by Samedan railway station on the Rhaetian Railway network and by the Samedan Airport. History Samedan is first mentioned in 1139 as ''Sa ...

. An international competition for organists of the Hochschule für Kirchenmusik Heidelberg was established in his name.

Selected works

* ''Drei Sonaten für Orgel'', Op. 1, Op. 10, Op. 14 * Trio in B minor for piano, violin and viola, Op. 24 * ''Choralvorspiele'' Op. 25 and Op. 27 * ''Drei Tondichtungen'', Op. 30 * Orgel-Requiem ''Klage und Trost'' * ''Weihnachtsmysterium'' Op. 31

References

External links

*
Philipp Wolfrum
Hochschule für Kirchenmusik Heidelberg

Klassika
Nachlass von Philipp Wolfrum (1854–1919)

Bayerische Staatsbibliothek The Bavarian State Library (german: Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, abbreviated BSB, called ''Bibliotheca Regia Monacensis'' before 1919) in Munich is the central " Landesbibliothek", i. e. the state library of the Free State of Bavaria, the bigg ...

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wolfrum, Philipp German classical composers German male classical composers German conductors (music) German male conductors (music) German classical organists German male organists Academic staff of Heidelberg University 1854 births 1919 deaths Male classical organists