Wilhelm Gericke

Wilhelm Gericke ( born May 18, 1845 in Swan (Styria ), † October 27, 1925 in Vienna ) was an Austrian conductor and also a composer. His parents were Frederick Gericke (* 1810), who had settled in Swan mountain as Distributor and Catherine Spitzi from Leutschach, a mistress of his father. As the birthplace of the place of residence of his father swan mountain family, but also Graz is specified.

Wilhelm Gericke studied in Vienna, he took lessons at the bandmaster of the Vienna Court Opera 1862-1865 Otto von Desoff before he worked at the opera houses of Vienna and Linz. After 1874 he became appointed Kapellmeister of the Vienna Court Opera, he led, amongst others, the Viennese premiere of Richard Wagner's opera Tannhäuser. In addition to his enthusiasm for Wagner he made in Vienna for his performances of French and Italian operas a name. From 1880, he conducted the Vienna Society concerts.

He later served two terms in the United States, where he was 1884-1889 and 1898-1906 Music Director of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. His work thereat was much greater recognition than in Vienna, where he had been controversial. The philanthropist Henry Lee Higginson gave him the job of a whole group of European musicians and financed the purchase of the equipment of the orchestra with violins from Vienna.

He composed an operetta, songs, a requiem and chamber music. These compositions were not successful.

Gericke in 1884 was made an honorary member of the Society of Friends of Music in Vienna. 1926 a bridge was named Spree in Berlin after him.

At his home in Swan Mountain House, Main Square 13, a memorial plaque to him.

Compositions

• Nice Annette ( operetta premiered in Linz 1865)
• Lily of the valley
• Jolly Bach, what are you so noisy?
• Wake up, you beautiful dreamer