Johann Wilhelm Hill (28 March 1838 – 6 June 1902) was a

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

pianist and composer.

Life and work

Wilhelm Hill was born in

Fulda Fulda () (historically in English called Fuld) is a town in Hesse, Germany; it is located on the river Fulda and is the administrative seat of the Fulda district (''Kreis''). In 1990, the town hosted the 30th Hessentag state festival. History ...

. He began studying piano and violin with his father at 6 years old. He devoted himself tirelessly to composing at age 14.Nachlass Wilhelm Hill
Retrieved 10 March 2012. From May 1854 Hill lived in

Frankfurt am Main Frankfurt, officially Frankfurt am Main (; Hessian: , "Frank ford on the Main"), is the most populous city in the German state of Hesse. Its 791,000 inhabitants as of 2022 make it the fifth-most populous city in Germany. Located on its na ...

, where he was pupil of Heinrich Henkel and Johann Christian Hauff. He gave his first public piano performance in Fulda the following year, and performed in Frankfurt in January 1858. In the 1880s, Hill taught at Lindner Institute and

Julius Stockhausen The gens Julia (''gēns Iūlia'', ) was one of the most prominent patrician (ancient Rome), patrician families in ancient Rome. Members of the gens attained the highest dignities of the state in the earliest times of the Roman Republic, Republic ...

's Vocal School. His opera ''Alona'' was awarded second prize in the competition for the opening of the new Frankfurt Opera House in 1882. He married Maria (Mary) Möhring in 1887 and soon after contracted an eye disease which affected his ability to teach and compose. He composed two operas, a piano concerto, chamber music, piano compositions, choral and vocal works including numerous songs. Hill gained popularity through the song ''" Das Herz am Rhein"'' ("The Heart of the Rhine"; published in 1866), which was sung frequently by his friend, baritone

Karl Hill Karl Hill (9 May 1831 – 12 January 1893) was a German baritone opera singer. Life Hill was born in Idstein im Taunus, near mountains north of Wiesbaden, but he lived and worked for most of his life in Schwerin, where he died. He studied in F ...

. The song soon appeared in various vocal and instrumental arrangements and became standard repertoire for vocalists and musicians of the time. Hill died in Homburg, Saarland. He and his wife are buried in Frankfurt Hauptfriedhof.

Selected works

Opera

* ''Alona'', Romantic Opera in 3 acts (1882); libretto by

Otto Prechtler Johann Otto Prechtler (21 January 1813 – 6 August 1881) was an Austrian civil servant, and a poet, dramatist and librettist. Life Prechtler was born in Grieskirchen, Upper Austria in modest circumstances; his mother Marie was a poet, and had som ...

* ''Jolanthe''; based on '' King René's Daughter'' by

Henrik Hertz Henrik Hertz (25 August 1797 – 25 February 1870) was a Danish poet. Biography He was born of Jewish parents in Copenhagen. In 1817 he was sent to the university. His father died in his infancy, and the family property was destroyed in the b ...

Concertante

* Concerto in C minor for piano and orchestra

Chamber music

* Piano Trio No. 1 in D major, Op. 12 (1863) * ''Notturno, Scherzo und Romanze'' for viola and piano, Op. 18 (1868) * Sonata in E minor for violin and piano, Op. 20 (1878) * ''2 Romanzen'' for viola or cello and piano, Op. 22 (1869) * 2 Sonatinas for violin and piano, Op. 28 (1871) :# in B minor * Piano Trio No. 2 in G major, Op. 43 (1878) * Piano Quartet in E major, Op. 44 (1879) * String Quartet in D major, Op. 45 (published 1915)

Piano

* ''Grande valse brilliante'' in E major, Op. 4 (1864) * ''2 Klavierstücke'', Op. 7 (1864) :# Impromptu :# Saltarello * ''Große Polonaise'' in C minor, Op. 9 (1863) * ''Valse-Caprice'' (1868) * ''Romanze und Scherzo'', Op. 15 (1870) * ''6 Etüden'', Op. 16 (1869) * ''3 Sonatinen (progreßiv)'', Op. 27 (1871) :# in G Major :# in F Major :# in C Major * ''Jugenderinnerungen'' (Youth Memories) for piano 4-hands, Op. 31 (1872) :# Zum Eingang :# Guter Laune :# Frisch durch :# Beim Feste :# Walzer :# Der Spielmann * ''6 Characterstücke'', Op. 32 (1872) :# Romanze :# Pastorale :# Menuett :# Jagdstück :# Impromptu :# Trauermarsch * ''4 Albumblätter'', Op. 33 (1872) * ''Impromptu-Valse'', Op. 34 (1872) * ''Polonaise'', Op. 35 (1874) * ''Rondo capriccioso'', Op. 36 (1874) * ''Gavotte'' in F minor, Op. 47 (1888) * ''Idyllen: Tonbilder aus dem Taunus'', Op. 48 (1890) :# Morgenwanderung :# Unter Rosen :# Die Mühle :# In der alten Burg :# Am Brunhildisfelsen :# Kleines Intermezzo :# Zigeuner am Wege :# Bei Sonnenuntergang * ''Tarantella'' for piano 4-hands, Op. 50 (1892) * ''Capriccio'' in B major, Op. 52 (1896) * ''2 Intermezzi'', Op. 53 (1896) :# Alla Mazur in D major :# Intermezzo in B major * ''Introduction und Allegro appassionato'', Op. 54 (1896) * ''Präludium und Fuge'', Op. 55 (1899) * ''Gavotte mignonne'', Op. 59

Choral

* ''Hurrah, Germania!'' for 4-part male chorus a cappella (1870) * ''6 Gesänge'' for 4-part male chorus a cappella, Op. 56 (1899) :# Die Grafen von Zollem: „Im Schwabenlande erhebt sich ein Schloß“ :# Die Frauen vom Rhein: „Die Frauen in Deutschland sind minnig fürwahr“ :# Abendsang: „Nun hängt das Schwert bei Seite“ :# Maigruß: „Im Morgenrot die Berge glüh'n“ :# Mosellied: „Weiß ein Fräulein eigner Art“ :# „Als ich dich sah zum ersten Mal“ * ''Horch, die Vesperhymne klingt: „Horch, wie über's Wasser hallend“'' for male chorus a cappella, Op. 60 (1900)

Vocal

* ''Vergißmeinnicht'' for voice and piano (1959) * ''6 Lieder'' for voice and piano, Op. 3 (1860) :# Werden wir wieder zusammenstehn :# Fern und nah :# Du bist wie eine Blume; words by

Heinrich Heine Christian Johann Heinrich Heine (; born Harry Heine; 13 December 1797 – 17 February 1856) was a German poet, writer and literary critic. He is best known outside Germany for his early lyric poetry, which was set to music in the form of '' Lied ...

:# O Hoffnung, süße Himmelsmelodie :# Klinge, süßer Liebesschall :# Die Sonn' ist längst zur Ruh' gegangen * ''3 Lieder'' for voice and piano, Op. 10 (1865) :# Walburgis :# In des Waldes Einsamkeit :# Du Blümlein welk * ''2 Balladen'' for alto (or baritone) and piano, Op. 11 (1866) :# Mondwanderung; words by

Robert Reinick Robert Reinick (22 February 1805 – 7 February 1852) was a German painter and poet, associated with the Düsseldorf school of painting. One of his poems, ''Dem Vaterland'', was set to music by Hugo Wolf and another, ''The Flight into Egyp ...

:# Des Knaben Tod; words by Ludwig Uhland * '' Das Herz am Rhein'' (''The Maid of the Rhine'') for voice and piano (1866); words by Heinrich Dippel * ''Das Mädchen von Kola: „Mädchen von Kola, du schläfst“'' for voice and piano, Op. 13 (1867) * ''2 Lieder'' for soprano (or tenor) and piano, Op. 14 (1867); words by Emanuel Geibel :# „Die stille Wasserrose“ :# Nach Norden: „Vöglein, wohin so schnell?“ * ''4 Gesänge'' for alto (or baritone) and piano, Op. 17 (1870) :# Curiose Geschichte :# Die Nacht ist klar :# Der Eichwald :# Nachtlied * ''6 Lieder im Volkston'' for 2 voices and piano, Op. 19 (1869) :# Am Bache :# Guten Abend lieber Mondenschein :# Im tiefen Wald verborgen :# Der Lenz ist angekommen :# Es war ein alter König; words by

:# Grüße * ''Des Sängers Abschied'' for voice and piano, Op. 21 (1869) * ''Thränen'', Song Cycle for alto (or baritone) and piano, Op. 23 (1870); words by Adelbert von Chamisso :# Was ist's, o Vater! :# Ich habe, bevor der Morgen :# Nicht der Thau und nicht der Regen :# Denke, denke, mein Geliebter :# Ich hab' ihn im Schalfe zu sehen gemeint :# Wie so bleich ich geworden bin * ''6 Gesänge'' for voice and piano, Op. 26 (1870) :# Abend im Walde :# Neig', schöne Knospe; words by

Friedrich von Bodenstedt Friedrich Martin von Bodenstedt (22 April 1819 – 19 April 1892) was a German author. Biography Bodenstedt was born at Peine, in the Kingdom of Hanover. He was trained as a merchant in Braunschweig and studied in Göttingen, Munich and Berlin. ...

after Mirza Shafi Vazeh :# Suleika; words by

after Mirza Shafi Vazeh :# Mein Herz schmückt sich mit dir; words by

after Mirza Shafi Vazeh :# Liebesklange :# Gefunden; words by

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (28 August 1749 – 22 March 1832) was a German poet, playwright, novelist, scientist, statesman, theatre director, and critic. His works include plays, poetry, literature, and aesthetic criticism, as well as trea ...

* „O lieb, so lang du lieben kannst“ for baritone (or alto) and piano (1871); words by

Ferdinand Freiligrath Ferdinand Freiligrath (17 June 1810 – 18 March 1876) was a German poet, translator and liberal agitator, who is considered part of the Young Germany movement. Life Freiligrath was born in Detmold, Principality of Lippe. His father was a teacher. ...

* ''Schwäbisches Liebesliedchen'': „Sag', gold'ger Schatz“ for voice and piano (1871) * ''Der Äsra: „Täglich ging die schöne Sultanstochter“'' for voice and piano, Op. 29 (1872); words by

* ''6 Gesänge'' for medium voice and piano, Op. 37 (1874) :# Stille Sicherheit: „Horch wie still es wird“; words by Nikolaus Lenau :# „Flohen die Wolken im Abendwind“ :# Im Frühling: „Wenn der Apfelbaum blüht“; words by

:# „Unter den Zweigen“; words by

Paul Heyse Paul Johann Ludwig von Heyse (; 15 March 1830 – 2 April 1914) was a distinguished German writer and translator. A member of two important literary societies, the ''Tunnel über der Spree'' in Berlin and ''Die Krokodile'' in Munich, he wrote no ...

:# Klage eines Mädchens: „O Blätter, dürre Blätter“; words by

Ludwig Pfau Karl Ludwig Pfau (; August 25, 1821 – April 12, 1894) was a German poet, journalist, and revolutionary. He was born in Heilbronn and died, aged 72, in Stuttgart. Poetry Some of Ludwig Pfau's poetry has been used in the composition of ''Lied ...

:# „Es war im Dorfe Hochzeit“; words by

* ''4 Duetten'' for 2 female voices and piano, Op. 38 (1874) :# Nächtlich: „Der Mond umfluthet und umflicht“; words by

Ernst, Baron von Feuchtersleben Baron Ernst von Feuchtersleben (full name: Ernst Maria Johann Karl ''Freiherr'' von Feuchtersleben; 29 April 18063 September 1849), was an Austrian physician, poet and philosopher. He was a member of the von Feuchtersleben Family Life He was born ...

:# Da Drüben: „Da drüben überm Walde“; words by Julius Mosen :# Herbstlied: „Der Himmel ist grau umzogen“; words by

:# Juchhe!: „Wie ist doch die Erde so schön“; words by

* ''2 ländliche Lieder'' for voice and piano, Op. 39 (1878); words by Emanuel Geibel :# Frühling: „Und wenn die Primel schneeweiß blickt“ :# Winter: „Nun weht auf der Haide“ * ''5 Lieder'' for voice and piano, Op. 40 (1878) :# „Mir träumte einst ein schöner Traum“; words by

:# Schlaflied: „Schlaf ein, mein Kind“ :# „Ich singe dich, liebliches Mädchen, du“ :# Ein Tanz im Gebirge: „Juchhe! so schallt's den Berg hinauf“ :# „Alles aufersteht uns wieder“ * ''6 Lieder'' for voice and piano, Op. 41 (1878) :# „Dem Bache entlang“ :# „Oft sinn' ich hin und wieder“ :# „Mein Herz thu' dich auf“ :# Ständchen: „Komm in die stille Nacht“ :# Neuer Frühling: „Neuer Frühling ist gekommen“ :# „Treibt der Sommer seinen Rosen“; words by Karl Wilhelm Osterwald * ''2 Mosellieder'' for voice and piano, Op. 58 (1899) :# Moselweinlied: „Vom Rhein hin bis zum heil'gen Trier“ :# Moselweintrinklied: „Ich hab' getrunken manchen Wein“ * ''4 Lieder'' for voice and piano, Op. 61 (1900) :# „Es ist ein Schnee gefallen“ :# „Zum grünen Hain im Abendschein“ :# Der Leuchtkäfer: „Bei Tage, als im Sonnenlicht“ :# „So fern ist des Liebsten ruhmvolles Grab“ * ''Mein Moselland: „Du meine Wiege, o Moselland“'' for voice and piano, Op. 62 (1899) * ''Herzenstausch: „Du sagst, mein liebes Mütterlein“'' for voice and piano (1900) * ''6 Gedichte'' for voice and piano, Op. 65 (1900) :# Liebe: „Was ist das nur in meiner Brust“ :# „Verschließ, was dich bewegt“ :# Gefunden: „Wie lange ich gesucht dich hab'“ :# So geht's: „Du gabst mir einmal eine Rose“ :# Was ich liebe?: „Ein stets blauer Himmel wäre nicht schön“ :# Still!: „Still, still! Wein' nicht so heiß“

Bibliography

* Karl Schmidt: ''Wilhelm Hill, Leben und Werke'', Leipzig, Breitkopf & Härtel, 1910.

References

External links

*
Wilhelm Hill Estate

* performed by

Heinrich Schlusnus Heinrich Schlusnus (6 August 1888 – 18 June 1952) was Germany's foremost lyric baritone of the period between World War I and World War II. He sang opera and lieder with equal distinction. Career A native of Braubach, Schlusnus studied with vo ...

, baritone {{DEFAULTSORT:Hill, Wilhelm 1838 births 1902 deaths German composers German classical pianists Male classical pianists People from Fulda Burials at Frankfurt Main Cemetery 19th-century classical pianists 19th-century German musicians 19th-century male musicians