Wilhelm Rettich
1892 - 1988
For a full biography and a complete list of works with links to scores and recordings, visit www.forbiddenmusicregained.org
Wilhelm Rettich belonged to that generation of those whose work and life was deeply affected by the First and Second World Wars. Captivity, persecution, hiding and losses scarred his life. In 1933, he emigrated to the Netherlands, where he survived the war in hiding. Rettich worked a great deal for the radio, a young and progressive medium at that time. Although he became a Dutch citizen after the World War II, he returned to Germany in 1964.
He was born in Leipzig in 1892, the son of Isidor Rettich, a merchant and Rosa Idelsohn. His parents wanted him to become a doctor, but he knew early on that music was his destiny. His mother came from a musical family and gave him his first piano lessons. At seventeen he studied composition with Max Reger at the Leipzig Conservatory. He worked as an assistant répétiteur … Continue
Selected works
König Tod opera, in 1982 rewritten by WR to Liebe und Tod
Fluch des Krieges cantata voor soloists, choirs and orchestra
Else Lasker-Schülerzyklus 1923-1928 voice and piano
Violin Concerto op. 51 violin and orchestra
Piano Concerto op. 54 piano and orchestra
Synagogengesänge voor tenor and male choir
Sinfonia Judaica orchestra
Symphonischen Variationen für Klavier und Orchester piano and orchestra
For a complete list of works by Wilhelm Rettich visit our website Forbidden Music Regained.
Let forbidden music sound again
In the Second World War, many composers were silenced because of their Jewish descent or their resistance. Their music was forbidden. The Leo Smit Stichting carries out research, tells composers' stories, makes sheet music available and performs forgotten music. Together with musicians, programmers, researchers and listeners we give composers their rightful place in music history.
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