WOLF, Hugo
b Windischgraz (then Austria), 13 March 1860
d Vienna, 22 February 1903, aged forty-two

His father was a versatile instrumentalist, and Hugo learnt piano and violin at an early age. In 1875 he went to the Vienna Conservatory, but was expelled. All his life he wrecked his opportunities by impulsive or rude behaviour; as a teacher he lost his pupils, as a conductor he lost his jobs, and his work as a music critic made him many enemies. The tide turned in 1887, when his creative energy burst forth in an enormous output of work. After 1890 his inspiration began to dry up, his optimism gradually faded and by 1898 his mental collapse was complete. He died in a private asylum.

1877-8 (17-18)

Lieder aus der Jugendzeit

1877-97 (17-37)

Lieder nach verschiedenen Dichtern

1879-80 (19)

String Quartet in D minor

1880-8 (21-8)

Eichendorff-Lieder

1883-5 (23-5)

Penthesilea, symphonic poem

1887 (27)

Italian Serenade, for string quartet (arranged for small orchestra in 1892)

Violin Sonata

1888 (28)

Morike-Lieder, fifty-three songs

Goethe-Lieder, fifty-one songs (1888-9)

1890 (30)

Spanish Song Book, song settings of forty-four Spanish poems

1891 (31)

Italian Song Book, Book 1, twenty-two songs

The Feast of Sulhaug, incidental music

1896 (36)

fp Der Corregidor, opera

Italian Song Book, Book II, twenty-four songs