Grete von Zieritz facts for kids
Grete von Zieritz (born March 10, 1899 – died November 26, 2001) was an amazing Austrian-German composer and pianist. She wrote over 250 pieces of music! She was known for her talent and for being one of the few women composers of her time.
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Her Life Story
Grete von Zieritz was born in Vienna, Austria. Her family was noble, which meant they had a special history. She grew up in beautiful cities like Vienna, Innsbruck, and Graz.
Grete started playing the piano when she was just six years old. She later studied music with great teachers like Hugo Kroemer and Roderick Mojsisovics. She even gave her first concert when she was only eight! Imagine performing for an audience at that age.
Later, Grete moved to Berlin to continue her music studies. She learned from Martin Krause, who was a student of the famous composer Franz Liszt. In 1921, her "Japanese Songs" were performed, and they were a big success! This made her decide to become a composer.
From 1926 to 1931, Grete also worked as a music teacher while continuing her studies in Berlin with Franz Schreker. In 1939, she was the only woman composer at a big music festival in Frankfurt, Germany. Composers from 18 different countries were there!
Grete von Zieritz lived a very long life. She died in Berlin in 2001, at the age of 102. In 2009, a street in Vienna was named Zieritzgasse after her, honoring her contributions to music.
Awards and Honors
Grete von Zieritz received many awards for her musical talent and hard work. Here are some of them:
- 1928: The Mendelssohn-State Award
- 1928: A Schubert scholarship from Columbia Phonograph Company
- 1978: Merit First Class for Science and the Arts
- 1979: The Order of Merit
- 1982: PRS-Medal of Honour for being a member for 50 years
- 1999: Badge of Honour from the National Music Council, Berlin
- 1999: German Critics' Award (Special)
Her Musical Works
Grete von Zieritz wrote more than 250 musical pieces! Her works included music for orchestras, smaller groups of instruments (chamber music), and vocal pieces.
Orchestral Music
These are pieces written for a large group of musicians, like a symphony orchestra.
- Kleine Abendmusik (Little Evening Music) for string orchestra (1916)
- Bilder vom Jahrmarkt (Pictures from the Fair) for flute and orchestra (1937)
- Das Gifthorner Konzert for flute, harp, and strings (1940)
- Le violon de la mort (Danses macabres) for violin, piano, and orchestra (1956–1957)
- Zigeunerkonzert (Gypsy Concerto) for violin and orchestra (1982)
Chamber Music
These pieces are for smaller groups of instruments, often played in a room (chamber) rather than a large concert hall.
- Japanese Songs for a singer (soprano) and piano (1919)
- Sonata for viola and piano, Op. 67 (1939)
- Kaleidoskop, a duo for violin and viola, Op. 127 (1969)
- Suite for viola solo, Op. 141 (1976)
- Kassandra-Rufe for eight solo instruments (1985/86)
Vocal Music
These are pieces written for singers.
With Orchestra
- Passion im Urwald (Passion in the Jungle) for soprano and orchestra (1930)
- Vogellieder (Bird Songs) for soprano, flute, and orchestra (1933)
- Japanische Lieder (Japanese Songs) for soprano and chamber orchestra (1972)
Unaccompanied
These pieces are for singers without any instruments playing along.
- Dem Zonnengott for women's chorus (1940)
- Berglied (Mountain Song) for mixed chorus (1962)
- 4 Alt-Aztekische Gesänge (4 Old Aztec Songs) for mixed chorus (1966)
- 5 Portugiesisch-Spanische Gesänge (5 Portuguese-Spanish Songs) for mixed chorus (1966)
