Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

January 23, 1876 in Prussia

Death

:

1956 in Ahlhorn

Genre

:

Band

 

Wilhelm Zehle was a German composer and pianist who lived from 1877 to 1957. He was born in the town of Kaiserslautern, in the southwestern region of Germany. Zehle showed an early interest in music, and began taking piano lessons at the age of six. His parents recognized his talent and encouraged him to pursue a career in music. Zehle studied at the Hochschule für Musik in Frankfurt, where he was a student of the renowned composer and pianist Clara Schumann. He also studied with other notable musicians of the time, including the composer Max Reger and the pianist Ferruccio Busoni. Zehle's studies were interrupted by World War I, during which he served in the German army. After the war, he resumed his studies and began to establish himself as a composer and performer. Zehle's music is characterized by its romanticism and lyricism. He was influenced by the music of Schumann, Brahms, and Wagner, as well as by the French impressionists Debussy and Ravel. Zehle's compositions include works for solo piano, chamber music, and orchestral music. He also wrote songs and choral music. One of Zehle's most famous works is his Piano Concerto in A minor, which he composed in 1913. The concerto is a virtuosic showcase for the soloist, with sweeping melodies and intricate passagework. The concerto was premiered in Frankfurt in 1914, with Zehle himself as the soloist. It was well-received by audiences and critics alike, and has since become a staple of the piano concerto repertoire. Another notable work by Zehle is his String Quartet in D minor, which he composed in 1921. The quartet is a deeply emotional work, with a sense of melancholy and nostalgia pervading its four movements. The quartet was premiered in Berlin in 1922, and was praised for its expressive power and technical mastery. Zehle's music was also influenced by his interest in literature and poetry. He often set poems to music, and his songs are notable for their sensitivity to the text. One of his most famous song cycles is his "Eichendorff-Lieder," which sets poems by the German Romantic poet Joseph von Eichendorff to music. The cycle is a hauntingly beautiful work, with Zehle's music perfectly capturing the mood and imagery of Eichendorff's poetry. Zehle's career as a composer and performer was interrupted by World War II, during which he was forced to flee Germany due to his opposition to the Nazi regime. He spent the war years in Switzerland, where he continued to compose and perform. After the war, he returned to Germany and resumed his career. Zehle's music fell out of favor in the post-war years, as the musical world turned towards more modernist and experimental styles. However, in recent years there has been a renewed interest in his music, with recordings and performances of his works becoming more common. Zehle's music is a testament to the enduring power of the Romantic tradition, and his lyrical and expressive style continues to captivate audiences today.

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