Georg Freiherr von der Goltz

Georg von der Goltz was born on 1 September 1852 in Berlin (Germany). He was born into a noble family with a long military history and his complete name was Georg Conrad Heinrich Albert Eduard Cuno Freiherr von der Goltz. In this family setting Georg von der Goltz received a splendid education that included music and playing an instrument at these times. And it was clear that he had to go for a professional career in the military.
His military career started with the Franco-Prussian War in 1870 and ended with the rank of a general of the infantry (the third highest rank of the land forces) in 1914. Beside his military service Georg von der Goltz also wrote articles and books about military topics.
Much more interesting on this website is the fact that Georg von der Goltz also composed music. He had an emphasis on vocal works and wasn't afraid of large scale compositions. Among his works are the opera "Myrrah" op.1, the musical drama "Wittichis" op.4 and the ballad "Die Jüdin von Worms", songs like the cycle "Lieder des Troubadour Raoul le Preux an die Königin Jolanthe von Navarra", "Gertrud's Lied und Waltraut's Lied" op.16, drei Lieder op.17, Tanzlied op.19 and three songs from "Der Tannhäuser" by Julius Wolff, a "Fackeltanz" for piano op.18, some waltzes, and of course military music (Bölcke-Marsch, Oll Drö).
Georg von der Goltz died on 3 April 1930 in Berlin (Germany).

In my possession is the autograph manuscript of the song "Weib" for voice and piano by Georg von der Goltz. The work uses a poem by Irmela Limberg. The manuscript isn't dated, but accompanied by a handwritten letter by Georg von der Goltz dating from 12 July 1924. In this letter Georg von der Goltz mentions that the song was performed shortly before in a private concert by Ms. Stölzel, the wife of admiral Albert Stölzel. It seems likely that the song was composed the same year.