Hermann Ritter (16 September 1849 in Wismar – 25 January 1926 in Würzburg) was a German viola player,

composer A composer is a person who writes music. The term is especially used to indicate composers of Western classical music, or those who are composers by occupation. Many composers are, or were, also skilled performers of music. Etymology and Defi ...

and

music historian Music history, sometimes called historical musicology, is a highly diverse subfield of the broader discipline of musicology that studies music from a historical point of view. In theory, "music history" could refer to the study of the history o ...

Biography

Hermann Ritter studied violin at the Neue Akademie für Musik in Berlin from 1865 to 1870. His outstanding talent was soon recognized and was appointed music director of the municipal orchestra in Heidelberg, where he also continued his education at the University of Heidelberg. During this time, his performance interest shifted from the violin to the viola, intent on improving the status of the violist by raising the standard of performance and developing an instrument with a tone equal to that of the violin and cello. Besides

musical composition Musical composition can refer to an original piece or work of music, either vocal or instrumental, the structure of a musical piece or to the process of creating or writing a new piece of music. People who create new compositions are called ...

s and

transcription Transcription refers to the process of converting sounds (voice, music etc.) into letters or musical notes, or producing a copy of something in another medium, including: Genetics * Transcription (biology), the copying of DNA into RNA, the fir ...

s, Ritter is credited with writing many books and essays including several volumes on the music history of Europe.

Selected works

Original compositions

;Stage * ''Ein kritischer Tag'', Familienscene in 1 act (1894) * ''Durch Nacht zum Licht!'', Schauspiel in 4 acts (1895) * ''Ein Stein des Anstoßes'', Abenteuer in 1 act (1895) * ''Im Alpenglühen'', Gebirgsstück mit Gesang und Tanz in 1 act (1903) ;Vocal * ''Altschottische Volksweisen mit Beibehaltung der Originalmelodien'' for voice and piano (published 1887); words by Robert Burns * ''Fortgeflogen, fortgezogen'' for soprano or tenor and piano, Op. 20 (published c.1900) * ''Schneeglöckchen'' for voice and piano, Op. 30 (published 1872); words by Fritz Holthey * ''Leb' wohl!'' (Good-bye!) for voice and piano, Op. 59 (published 1893) * ''Ich fühle deinen Odem'' for voice and piano, Op. 60 (published 1894) * ''Lieder-Grüße aus Natur und Leben'', 10 leichte und ansprechende Gesänge for voice and piano, Op. 62 (published 1894) ;Piano * ''Deutscher Sieges-Hymnus'' (German Victory Hymn), Op. 23 (1871) * ''Trauergesang auf den Tod eines Kriegers'' (Lament on the Death of a Warrior), Op. 24 ;Pedagogical works * ''Viola-Schule: für den Schul- und Selbstunterricht'' (Viola School; Méthode pour l'alto) (published 1884) * ''Elementartechnik der Viola alta'' (Elementary Technique for the Viola alta) (published 1895) * ''Solobuch für Viola (Viola alta, Altgeige), Heft I-II: Enthaltend die wichtigsten Soli der orchestralen Litteratur dieses Instrumentes'' (Orchestral Studies for Viola, Books I and II: Containing the Most Important Solos from the Orchestral Literature) (published 1910s) ;Viola or viola alta * ''Zwei Stücke'' (2 Pieces) for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 7 (1869) :# ''Idylle'' :# ''Elfengesang'' * ''Schlummerlied'' (Lullaby) for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 9 (1871) * ''Canzonetta'' in G major for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 10 (1875) * ''Erinnerung an die Alpen'' (Souvenir of the Alps) for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 11 (published 1891) * ''Jagdstück'' for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 17 (published 1883) * ''Auf den Wellen'' (On the Waves) for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 27 (published 1878) * ''Melodie'' for viola (viola alta) and piano (published 1878) * ''Spinnerlied'' (Spinning Song) in B major for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 28 (published 1878) * ''Zwei Stücke'' (2 Pieces) for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 32 (1886) :# ''Pastorale und Gavotte'' in A minor :# ''Im Traume'' in G major * ''Nach slavischen Eindrücken'' (After Slavic Impressions) for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 33 (1886) :# ''Elegie'' in G minor :# ''Introduktion und Mazurka'' in A minor/C major * ''Erinnerung an Schottland: Phantasie mit Benutzung altschottischer Weisen'' (Souvenir of Scotland: Fantasy on an Old Scottish Air) for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 34 (1886) * ''Concert-Phantasie No.1'' in C minor for viola (viola alta) and orchestra or piano, Op. 35 (1886) * ''Concert-Phantasie No.2'' in C major for viola (viola alta) and orchestra or piano, Op. 36 (1886) * ''Italienische Suite'' (Italian Suite) for viola (viola alta) and orchestra or piano, Op. 37 (1886) :# ''Barcarole (Venezia)'' :# ''Elegie (Roma)'' in A minor :# ''Tarantella (Napoli)'' * ''Zwei Stücke'' (2 Pieces) for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 48 (1889) :# ''Valse caprice'' :# ''Moto perpetuo'' * ''Zwei Stücke'' (2 Pieces) for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 65 (1898) :# ''Andante'' :# ''Allegretto Scherzando'' * ''Gesangsstück'' in D major for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 66 (1900) * ''Ständchen'' (Serenade) in A minor for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 70 (published 1905) * ''Rokoko: 2 Vortragsstücke'' (Rococo: 2 Concert Pieces) for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 73 (published 1907) :# ''Gavotte'' in C major :# ''Pastorale und Menuett'' in C major * ''Dithyrambe'' in G minor for viola (viola alta) and piano, Op. 74 (published 1907) * ''Melodia religiosa'' for viola (viola alta) and piano

Transcriptions

Transcriptions for viola or viola alta and piano unless otherwise noted * ''Hermann Ritter's Repertorium für die Viola alta (Altgeige) mit Begleitung des Pianoforte'' (Hermann Ritter's Repertoire for the Viola alta and piano) (published 1878 by W. Schmid, Nürnberg) :# ''Aria di chiesa'' by

Alessandro Stradella Antonio Alessandro Boncompagno Stradella (Bologna, 3 July 1643 – Genoa, 25 February 1682) was an Italian composer of the middle Baroque period. He enjoyed a dazzling career as a freelance composer, writing on commission, and collaborating with ...

:# ''Largo'' in E minor by Jean-Marie Leclair :# ''Larghetto'' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart :# ''Moment musical'' by Franz Schubert; original for piano :# ''Lied ohne Worte'' by

Felix Mendelssohn Jakob Ludwig Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (3 February 18094 November 1847), born and widely known as Felix Mendelssohn, was a German composer, pianist, organist and conductor of the early Romantic period. Mendelssohn's compositions include sy ...

; original for piano :# ''Melodie'' by Hermann Ritter :# ''La Romanesca: Tanz aus dem XVI. Jahrhunderts'' :# ''Recitativ und Arie (aus Rinaldo)'' by

George Frideric Handel George Frideric (or Frederick) Handel (; baptised , ; 23 February 1685 – 14 April 1759) was a German-British Baroque music, Baroque composer well known for his opera#Baroque era, operas, oratorios, anthems, concerto grosso, concerti grossi, ...

:# ''Largo'' in F major by Johann Sebastian Bach :# ''Aria'' by

Antonio Lotti Antonio Lotti (5 January 1667 – 5 January 1740) was an Italian composer of the Baroque era. Biography Lotti was born in Venice, although his father Matteo was ''Kapellmeister'' at Hanover at the time. Oral tradition says that in 1682, Lotti be ...

:# ''Sonate in E-moll'' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart :# ''Ave verum'' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart :# ''Larghetto'' from the Violin Concerto by Ludwig van Beethoven :# ''Ave Maria'' by Franz Schubert :# ''Russisches Lied (Der Zweifel)'' by

Mikhail Glinka Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka ( rus, link=no, Михаил Иванович Глинка, Mikhail Ivanovich Glinka., mʲɪxɐˈil ɪˈvanəvʲɪdʑ ˈɡlʲinkə, Ru-Mikhail-Ivanovich-Glinka.ogg; ) was the first Russian composer to gain wide recogni ...

; original for voice, chorus and piano :# ''Auf den Wellen'' by Hermann Ritter :# ''Gavotte (G-Dur)'' by Giovanni Battista Martini :# ''Romanze (Tregiorni)'' by

Giovanni Battista Pergolesi Giovanni Battista Draghi (; 4 January 1710 – 16 or 17 March 1736), often referred to as Giovanni Battista Pergolesi (), was an Italian Baroque composer, violinist, and organist. His best-known works include his Stabat Mater and the opera ''L ...

:# ''Andante (F-Dur)'' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart :# ''Andantino (Es-Dur)'' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart :# ''Nocturne'' by

John Field John Field may refer to: *John Field (American football) (1886–1979), American football player and coach *John Field (brigadier) (1899–1974), Australian Army officer *John Field (composer) (1782–1837), Irish composer *John Field (dancer) (192 ...

:# ''Arie (aus der D-Dur-Suite)'' by Johann Sebastian Bach :# ''La séparation: Nocturne'' (1839) by

; original for piano :# ''Chant sans paroles'' (Lied ohne Worte), Op. 2 No. 3 by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky * ''Anthologie für Bratsche (Altgeige) mit Begleitung des Klaviers'' (Anthology for Viola or Viola alta and Piano), Book I: Works by Ludwig van Beethoven (published 1880s by C. Merseburger, Leipzig) :# ''Romanze'', Op. 40; original for violin and orchestra :# ''Adelaide'', Op. 46; original for voice and piano :# ''Romanze'', Op. 50; original for violin and orchestra * ''Anthologie für Bratsche (Altgeige) mit Begleitung des Pianoforte'' (Anthology for Viola or Viola alta and Piano), Book II (published 1880s by C. Merseburger, Leipzig) :# ''Larghetto'' from Sonate Concertante No. 4 in D major, Op. 115 (1809) by Louis Spohr; original for violin and harp :# ''Recitativ und Andante'' from the Violin Concerto No. 6, Op. 28 (1808–1809) by Louis Spohr; original for violin and orchestra :# ''Barcarole'' from ''6 Salonstücke'', Op. 135 No. 1 by Louis Spohr; original for violin and piano :# ''Erlkönig'', Op. 1 by Franz Schubert * ''Musik für Viola: Übertragungen von Hermann Ritter'' (Music for Viola: Transcriptions by Hermann Ritter); Nos. 1~3 (1884); Nos. 4~17 (1885); No. 20 (1891); Nos. 21~25 (1892); published by Friedrich Kistner, Leipzig :# ''Air varié'', Op. 10 by Pierre Rode :# ''Élégie'', Op. 10 by

Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst Heinrich Wilhelm Ernst (8 June 18128 October 1865) was a Moravian-Jewish violinist, violist and composer. He was seen as the outstanding violinist of his time and one of Niccolò Paganini's greatest successors. He contributed to polyphonic playin ...

; original for violin and piano :# ''Suite'' by Johann Sebastian Bach :## Sarabande (BWV 1012) :## Gavotte (BWV 811) :## Andante (BWV 1003) :## Allegro (BWV 1009) :# ''Notturno'', Op. 9 No. 2 by

Frédéric Chopin Frédéric François Chopin (born Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin; 1 March 181017 October 1849) was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist of the Romantic period, who wrote primarily for solo piano. He has maintained worldwide renown as a leadin ...

; original for piano :# ''Lied ohne Worte'', Op. 53 No.2 by

; original for piano :# ''Russische Melodie (Kosakentanz)'' :# ''Moto perpetuo'' by Niccolò Paganini; original for violin and piano :# ''Frühlingslied (Lied ohne Worte)'', Op. 62 No.6 by

; original for piano :# ''Lied ohne Worte'', Op. 85 No. 1 by

; original for piano :# ''Adagio cantabile aus der Sonate pathétique'', Op. 13 by Ludwig van Beethoven; original for piano :# ''Romance sans paroles'' in G major, Op. 23 (1875) by

Karl Davydov Karl Yulievich Davydov (russian: Карл Юльевич Давидов; ) was a Russian cellist of great renown during his time, and described by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky as the "czar of cellists". He was also a composer, mainly for the cello. Hi ...

; original for cello and piano :# ''Cavatine'' by

Joachim Raff Joseph Joachim Raff (27 May 182224 or 25 June 1882) was a German-Swiss composer, pedagogue and pianist. Biography Raff was born in Lachen in Switzerland. His father, a teacher, had fled there from Württemberg in 1810 to escape forced recruitme ...

:# ''Wiegenlied'', Op. 98 No. 2 by Franz Schubert :# ''Impromptu'', Op. 90 No. 3 by Franz Schubert; original for piano :# ''Serenade aus dem Quartett No. 74 (Andante cantabile)'' by

Joseph Haydn Franz Joseph Haydn ( , ; 31 March 173231 May 1809) was an Austrian composer of the Classical period (music), Classical period. He was instrumental in the development of chamber music such as the string quartet and piano trio. His contributions ...

:# ''Notturno aus der Musik "Sommernachtstraum"'' by

; original for orchestra :# ''Waltz'', Op. 34 No. 2 by

; original for piano :# ''Adagio aus dem Klarinettenkonzert'' by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart; original for clarinet and orchestra :# ''Aria'' in D minor by Francesco Durante :# ''Larghetto'' by Giuseppe Tartini :# ''Czárdás'' :# ''Lento'', Movement I from a Sonata by Johann Sebastian Bach :# ''Siciliano'' by Johann Sebastian Bach :# ''Adagio'' by Johann Sebastian Bach :# ''4 altschottische Volkslieder'' (4 Old Scottish Folk Songs) * ''Liebesgesang'' (Love Song), Notturno for viola (viola alta) and piano by Leopold Damrosch (published 1888) * ''Albumblatt (Es-dur)'' for viola (viola alta) and piano by

Richard Wagner Wilhelm Richard Wagner ( ; ; 22 May 181313 February 1883) was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor who is chiefly known for his operas (or, as some of his mature works were later known, "music dramas"). Unlike most op ...

(published 1890s); original for piano (1875) * ''Bel canto: sechs Stücke von Meistern des XVII. und XVIII. Jahrhunderts'' (Bel Canto: 6 Pieces by Masters of the 17th and 18th Centuries) for viola alta (or violin) and piano or organ (published 1900) :# ''Arietta'' in G major by

:# ''Siciliana'' in G minor by

Alessandro Scarlatti Pietro Alessandro Gaspare Scarlatti (2 May 1660 – 22 October 1725) was an Italian Baroque composer, known especially for his operas and chamber cantatas. He is considered the most important representative of the Neapolitan school of opera. ...

:# ''Vergin tutt'amor'' in D minor by L. Durante :# ''Aria "Caro mio ben"'' in D major by

Giuseppe Giordani Giuseppe Tommaso Giovanni Giordani (December 19, 1751, Naples – January 4, 1798, Fermo) was an Italian composer, mainly of opera. Giordani's parents were Domenico Giordani and Anna Maria Tosato. He studied music in Naples with Domenico Cima ...

:# ''Adagio'' in E major by Johann Sebastian Bach :# ''Andante'' in A minor by

* ''Causerie'' for viola and piano (1900) by

Alphonse Mailly Alphonse may refer to: * Alphonse (given name) * Alphonse (surname) * Alphonse Atoll, one of two atolls in the Seychelles' Alphonse Group See also *Alphons *Alfonso (disambiguation) Alfonso (and variants Alphonso, Afonso, Alphons, and Alphonse) i ...

(1833–1918); original for piano

Literary works

* ''Die Viola ihre Geschichte, ihre Bedeutung und die Principien ihres Baues'' (The Viola: Its History, Significance and the Principles of Its Structure) (1876) * ''Die Geschichte der Viola alta und die Grundsätze ihres Baues'' (The History of the Viola alta, and the Principles of Its Structure) (1877) * ''Repetitorium der Musikgeschichte nach Epochen übersichtlich dargelegt, nebst einem Verzeichnisse der hauptsächlichsten wissenschaftlichen Musikliteratur'' (1880) * ''Über den Zweck des Studiums der Musikgeschichte'' (The Purpose of Music History Studies) (1880) * ''Hermann Ritter und seine Viola alta'' (Hermann Ritter and His Viola alta) (1881) * ''Aus der Harmonielehre meines Lebens: Kleine Skizzen und Aphorismen von Hermann Ritter'' (From the Harmony Teachings of My Life: Little Sketches and Aphorismen of Hermann Ritter) (1883) * ''Die Viola alta oder Altgeige'' (The Viola alta or Altgeige) (1885) * ''Populäre Elementartheorie der Musik für gebildete Musikfreunde'' (Popular Elementary Music Theory for Music Lovers) (1885) * ''Die Aesthetik der Tonkunst in ihren wichtigsten Grundzügen'' (The Aesthetics of Music in Its Most Fundamental Features) (1886) * ''Der dreifüßige oder Normal-Geigensteg erfunden und begründet von Hermann Ritter: Mit 50 Modell-Abbildungen'' (The Three-Footed or Normal Violin Bridge Invented and Founded by Hermann Ritter: With 50 Model Images) (1889) * ''Musik in den Alpen'' (Music in the Alps) (1889) * ''Katechismus der Musik-Aesthetik: Ein Hülfsbuch für den Musikunterricht in Schule und Haus'' (Catechism of the Music Aesthetic: a Guidebook for Music Lessons in School and Home) (1890) * ''Richard Wagner als Erzieher. Ein Volksbuch und zugleich Begleiter zu den bayreuther Festspielen'' (Richard Wagner as an Educator. A Companion Book of the Bayreuth Festival) (1891) * ''Über musikalische Erziehung: Ein Mahnruf an Eltern, Vormünder, Erzieher'' (On Music Education: A Warning Cry to Parents, Guardians, Educators) (1891) * ''Studien und Skizzen aus Musik- und Kulturgeschichte, sowie Musikästhetik'' (Studies and Sketches of Musical and Cultural History and also Aesthetics of Music) (1892) * ''Etwas weniger Musik!'' (A Little Less Music) (1896) * ''Franz Schubert (Geb. 31. Januar 1797) Gedenkschrift zur 100. Geburtstagsfeier. Dem "Schubert-Bund" in Wien gewidmet'' (1896) * ''Volksgesang in alter und neuer Zeit'' (Folk Song in Ancient and Modern Times) (1896) * ''Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven. Ein Dreigestirn am Himmel deutscher Tonkunst'' (Haydn, Mozart, Beethoven. A Heavenly Triumvirate of German Musical Art) (1897) * ''Die fünfsaitige Altgeige (Viola alta) : und die sich daran knüpfende eventuelle Weiterentwickelung der Streich-Instrumente'' (The Five-String Altgeige (Viola alta) and Further Development of Stringed Instruments) (1898) * ''Einiges zum Verständniss von Berlioz' Haroldsinfonie und Berlioz' künstlerischer Bedeutung'' (Insight to Berlioz's Harold en Italie Symphony and Berlioz's Artistic Significance) (1899) * ''Über die materielle und soziale Lage des Orchestermusikers: Ein Mahnruf an Eltern, Vormünder, Erzieher'' (On the Material and Social Situation of Orchestra Musicians: A Warning Cry to Parents, Guardians, Educators) (1901) * ''Allgemeine illustrierte Encyklopädie der Musikgeschichte'', 6 Bände (General Illustrated Encyclopedia of Music History, 6 Volumes) (1901–1902) :# ''Musikgeschichte des Altertums'' (A Music History of Antiquity) (1902) :# ''Musikgeschichte des Mittelalters'' (A Music History of the Middle Ages) (1902) :# ''Musikgeschichte Deutschlands im 16. – 18. Jahrhunderts'' (A Music History of Germany in the 16th through 18th Centuries) (1902) :# ''Musikgeschichte Deutschlands im 19. Jahrhunderts'' (A Music History of Germany in the 19th Century) (1902) :# ''Musikgeschichte Frankreichs, Britanniens, Russlands u.s.w.'' (A Music History of France, Britain, Russia, etc.) (1902) :# ''Musikgeschichte Italiens'' (A Music History of Italy) (1902) * ''Das 19. Jahrhundert in seinen musikalischen Hauptvertretern in Deutschland'' (The 19th Century in Its Main Musical Representatives in Germany) (1902) * ''Allgemeines über Streichinstrumente sowie Ideen über ein neues Streichquartett: Soprangeige (Violine), Altgeige (Viola alta), Tenorgeige (Viola tenore), Bassgeige (Viola bassa oder Violoncello): nach den Intentionen und dem Modell von Hermann Ritter'' (General Information about Strings and Ideas about a New String Quartet: Soprano Violin (Violin), Altgeige (Viola alta), Tenor Violin (Viola tenore), Bass Violin (Viola bassa or cello): According to the Intentions and the Model of Hermann Ritter) (1905) * ''Erkenne Dich selbst!: Das goldene Buch der Lebensweisheit'', 2 Bände (Know Thyself! The Golden Book of Life's Wisdom, 2 Volumes) (1905) * ''Professor Hermann Ritter's Neues Streichquartett '' (The Ritter Quartet: Professor Hermann Ritter's New String Quartet) (1910) * ''Mein neues oder Reform-Streichquartett'' (My New or Reform String Quartet) * ''Die Quellen zu Richard Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen"'' (The Sources for Richard Wagner's "Der Ring des Nibelungen") (1911) * ''"Franz Liszt" von James Huneker 1911 – Aufsatz von Hermann Ritter'' ("Franz Liszt" by James Huneker 1911 – Essay by Hermann Ritter) (1911)

Dedications

* Cyrill Kistler (1848–1907) – ''Serenade'' in D minor for violin, or viola (viola alta), or cello and orchestra, Op. 72 (1903) *

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 ...

(1811–1886) – ''Romance oubliée'' for viola and piano, S. 132 (1880) *

Hans Sitt Hans Sitt (born Jan Hanuš Sitt on 21 September 1850, Prague – 10 March 1922, Leipzig), was a Bohemian violinist, violist, teacher, and composer. During his lifetime, he was regarded as one of the foremost teachers of violin. Most of the orchest ...

(1850–1922) – ''3 Fantasiestücke'' (3 Fantasy Pieces) for viola and piano, Op. 58 (1894)

References

External links

*
Wagner Society of Dallas: Richard Wagner and the Ritter ViolaMusical Courier about an interview of Hermann Ritter by Richard Wagner
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ritter, Hermann 1849 births 1926 deaths People from Wismar People from the Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin German classical violists German composers German music historians German male non-fiction writers 19th-century German musicians