Lutz Wilhelm

Lutz Wilhelm was born on 9 June 1898 in Hannover (Germany).

In 1923, Lutz Wilhelm became a violinist in the orchestra of the Hannover Opera and became second concertmaster in 1946. He held this position until his retirement in 1963. As is common practice, the orchestra musicians also form chamber music ensembles, and Lutz Wilhelm did so as well. Together with first concertmaster Max Ladschek, violist Friedrich Roth, and cellist Hugo Köhler, he formed the "Ladschek Quartet" around 1925. In 1930, Lutz Wilhelm also formed a piano trio with Editha von Klöden and again Hugo Köhler. Since 1949, Lutz Wilhelm was conductor of the Hannoversche Orchestervereinigung.

Little is known about the work catalogue of Lutz Wilhelm. However, his operetta "Die drei Stammhalter," with a libretto by Harden and Rühl, was quite a success in 1921 and received several dozen performances. In 1931, newspapers reported on a violin concerto by Lutz Wilhelm.

Lutz Wilhelm died on 1 December 1969 in Hannover (Germany).

In my possession are three autograph manuscripts with compositions by Lutz Wilhelm:

1) Rhapsodische Improvisation

The "Rhapsodische Improvisation" is scored for violin and orchestra and was composed in 1945. The world premiere was given on 18 August 1945 with Lutz Wilhelm (violin), Niedersachsenorchester Bad Pyrmont under the baton of Walter Stöver. In my possession are both the piano reduction as well as the orchestral parts.

2) Capriccio

The "Capriccio" is scored for violin and piano, but it also exists a version for violin and orchestra. The manuscript is not dated, but the world premiere took place on 5 September 1945 in Bad Pyrmont and so it is likely that the work was composed the same year. According to the notes in the manuscript the work was performed a year later again in Bad Pyrmont under the direction of Rudolf Krasselt. In 1957 the Capriccio was performed at the Künstlerverein Hannover under Gottfried Weiße. These performances were very likely the orchestral version of the piece.

The orchestral parts are unfortunately incomplete and provide the fact that the Capriccio is numbered op.63, which is strange because the "Nänie for violin and piano" is also counted op.63.

3) Nänie

The "Nänie" is also scored for violin and piano. Like the Capriccio it is numbered op.63 and it exists an orchestral version as well. Unfortunately only the piano reduction is complete. According to the manuscript the work was premiered on 20 May 1950.