{{short description|German composer and ''Kapellmeister''}} '''George Washington Pittrich''' (22 February 1870 – 17 March 1934) was a German composer and ''Kapellmeister''.
== Life == Born in Dresden, Pittrich attended the Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber from 1884 to 1890, whose curriculum included theoretical subjects and keyboard, string and wind instruments. In addition, the students were taught oratory and singing. The curriculum also included stage training.<ref>Lexis, W.: ''Die Hochschulen für besondere Fachgebiete im Deutschen Reich'', Berlin 1904, {{p.|219}}, section: "Königliches Konservatorium für Musik und Theater in Dresden", {{p. |219}}, {{DNB-IDN|580947998}}.</ref> The conservatory was founded in 1856 as a private teaching institution and on its 25th anniversary in 1881 the King of Saxony awarded it the title of "Royal Conservatory". His teachers at the Conservatoire<ref>Reports of the Royal Conservatoire of Music in Dresden. Studienjahre 1884/85 bis 1989/90. Dresden 1885–1890; [http://digital.slub-dresden.de/werkansicht/dlf/139214/1/ Numbered SLUB Dresden]</ref> were Ferdinand Braunroht (1856–1913)<ref>''Hugo Riemanns Musik-Lexikon'', 8th completely revised edition, Berlin/Leipzig 1916, {{p.|116}}, keyword: ''Braunroth, Ferdinand''; {{DNB-IDN|974801100}}</ref> for harmony, counterpoint and piano; Felix Draeseke (1835–1913) for theory of form and higher composition; Adolf Hagen (1851–1926), for orchestral, compositional and directorial theory and practice in direction; Emil Robert Höpner, {{Ill|Kreuzorganist|de}} (1846–1903)<ref>inscription of the grave cross at the ''Alter Annenfriedhof'' in Dresden; [https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9a/DD-Grab-Höpner.jpg grave Höpner]</ref> from 1885 (retired in 1902) and teacher at the Conservatory<ref>Report of the Königl. Konservatorium für Musik zu Dresden, Schuljahr 1879/80, {{p.|4}}</ref> for piano since 1874 and since 1 November 1885 for organ,<ref>Report of the Königl. Konservatorium für Musik zu Dresden, Schuljahr 1885/86, {{p.|4}}</ref> Theodor Kirchner (1823 - 1903) for score-playing, Emil Naumann (1827–1888) for music history, and Bertrand Roth (1855–1938) for piano as a special subject.<ref>keyword: ''Pittrich, George Washington'' in ''Grande Musica – A Digital Library for Music Lovers'' (English), [http://grandemusica. net/musical-biographies-p-3/pittrich-george-washington Short biography: Pittrich, George Washington]</ref> Pittrich received an organ prize donated by the Dresden City Council in 1888 after six months of organ lessons with Emil Höpner.<ref>"Georg Pittrich" in Roeder, Ernst: ''Das Dresdner Hoftheater der Gegenwart. Biographical-critical sketches of the members''. E. Person's Verlag, Dresden/Leipzig, 1896, p. (271–280) 272</ref>
On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the assumption of patronage of the Dresden Conservatory by the Crown Prince of Saxony, in 1898, in the presence of the now King Albert of Saxony, two songs composed by Pittrich were performed at the festive event, among others: ''Hoffnung'' and ''Du allein''.<ref>''Der Klavier-Lehrer''. Musikpädagogische Zeitschrift. Organ of the German Music Teachers' Associations and the Tonkünstler Associations of Berlin, Cologne, Dresden, Hamburg and Stuttgart. Published by Prof. Emil Breslaur, No. 6, 15 March 1898, XXI volume, {{p.|78}} column 1</ref>
At a concert given by the Conservatoire in the autumn of 1888, Pittrich played the ''Prelude and Fugue for Organ'' in B minor by Johann Sebastian Bach and the ''Sonata for Organ, for Four Hands'', in D minor by Gustav Merkel<ref>''Neue Zeitschrift für Musik'', 1 October 1888; [http://anno.onb.ac at/cgi-content/anno?aid=nzm&datum=18881017&seite=8&zoom=33&query=%22Pittrich%22&ref=anno-search No. 42 {{p.|458}}]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> together with his fellow pupil Paul Claußnitzer from {{Ill|Niederschöna|de}}, who had also attended Höpner's organ lessons and also received the school-leaving certificate as an organist.<ref>''Bericht des Königl. Conservatoriums für Musik zu Dresden'', 1888/89, {{p.|11}} (Clausnitzer) and {{p.|12}} (Pittrich) as well as p. 32 (both organists).</ref>
In July 1890, Pittrich took part in a song recital in Schandau. He played at the grand concert the ''Sonata in A flat major, Op. 110, 1st movement'' by Beethoven and an ''Etude in C minor'' by Chopin, as well as a work composed by himself, a nocturne in F sharp major.<ref>''Neue Zeitschrift für Musik'', Organ des Allgemeinen Deutschen Musikvereins, 57th year (vol. 86), Leipzig 1890, {{p.|413}}</ref>
After his musical training, which he completed with distinction, Pittrich obtained a position as répétiteur at the Semper Opera in Dresden in 1890. At theatre rehearsals, he had to accompany the actors by playing the piano instead of the orchestra. Outside of his full-time occupation, the young pianist was temporarily active in 1892 as director or conductor of the Dresden male choral society "Liedergruß"<ref>"Georg Pittrich" in Roeder, Ernst: ''Das Dresdner Hoftheater der Gegenwart. Biographical-critical sketches of the members''. E. Person's Verlag, Dresden/Leipzig, 1896, pp. (271–280) 279</ref> in "Meinholds Säle" with practice hours once a week.<ref>Address Book Dresden 1892, 2nd Part, V. Section, {{p.|148}} Column 2; [http://digital.slub-dresden.de/werkansicht/dlf/25775/1524/0/ Numerized SLUB Dresden]</ref>
He also filled the position of music teacher at the Saxon Court from 1895 to 1898.<ref>Hugo Riemann's Musik-Lexikon. 11th ed. vol. M–Z, edited by Alfred Einstein, Max Hesses Verlag, Berlin 1929, pp. 1398 f. Keyword: "Pittrich, George Washington"</ref> In this capacity, George Washington Pittrich was temporarily the teacher of the then Crown Princess at the Saxon Royal Court, Archduchess Louise of Austria.<ref>''Deutsches Bühnen-Jahrbuch'', vol. 46, [Theatergeschichtliches Jahr- und Adressenbuch]. Editor: Genossenschaft der deutschen Bühnen-Angehörigen, Berlin 1935: Nachruf für Georg Pittrich, Choral director, composer {{p.|57}}</ref>
=== Collaboration in the Tonkünstler-Verein === Pittrich joined the ''Tonkünstler-Verein zu Dresden'', founded in 1854, as a pianist and composer after completing his studies at the Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber in 1890,<ref>Record of G. Pittrich according to "Bericht über den Tonkünstler-Verein zu Dresden", vol. [37] 1890/91, {{p.|8}}</ref> which also had members from outside.<ref>Reports on the ''Tonkünstler-Verein zu Dresden''; [http://digital.slub-dresden.de/werkansicht/dlf/130360/1/ Numeriized of the SLUB Dresden]</ref> He became acquainted with musical works there that had not been rehearsed before, educated himself by making music together and presented his own compositions. The ''Fantasy for Pianoforte and String Orchestra'', composed by him and at that time only available as a manuscript, was performed by Pittrich for the first time in 1893 at a practice session of the association.<ref>Pittrich at the practice session of 27 February 1893 according to the "Bericht über den Tonkünstler-Verein zu Dresden", vol. [43] 1896/97, {{p.|25}}</ref> Songs composed by him were performed in 1898 with his participation at the piano. As a singer, Ernst Wachter (1872–1931) from the Semperoper in Dresden made himself available to the Tonkünstler-Verein as a singer.<ref>"Bericht über den Tonkünstler-Verein zu Dresden", vol. [44], 1897/98, {{p.|23}}; [http://digital.slub-dresden.de/werkansicht/dlf/187532/25/0/ Numbered SLUB Dresden]</ref> As ''Kapellmeister'' in Hamburg<ref>"Bericht über den Tonkünstler-Verein zu Dresden", vol. [46], {{p.|45}}</ref> and Frankfurt,<ref>"Bericht über den Tonkünstler-Verein zu Dresden", vol. 47] 1900/01, {{p.|49}}</ref> Pittrich is named in the reports on the Tonkünstler-Verein as a foreign member, after he was still listed as répétiteur and composer in the membership directory among the Dresden artists in the reporting year 1897/98.<ref>"Bericht über den Tonkünstler-Verein zu Dresden", vol. [44], {{p.|48}}</ref>
=== Awards === Pittrich was awarded the certificate of maturity as a pianist, composer and conductor by decision of the teaching staff of the Conservatory on 16 March 1890,<ref>19th ''Report of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Dresden'', 34. Studienjahr 1889/90, Dresden 1890, {{p.|36}}</ref> having already received the certificate as organist the year before.<ref>18. ''Bericht des Königl. Conservatoriums für Musik in Dresden'', 33rd Academic year 1889/90, Dresden 1889, {{p. |32}}</ref> As a composition student from the class of the Conservatoire's teacher Felix Draeseke, he received an award from the Frederick Pudor Foundation in the 1889/90 school year for the sheet music of the Mass in B minor by Johann Sebastian Bach and the music ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy to William Shakespeare's eponymous play.<ref>19th ''Report of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Dresden'', 34th academic year 1889/90, Dresden 1890, {{p.|40}}</ref> He received a prize certificate for excellent performance as a piano player from the piano class of Bertrand Roth.<ref>19. ''Bericht des Königl. Conservatoriums für Musik in Dresden'', 34th academic year 1889/90, Dresden 1890, {{p.|37}}</ref>
In 1894, the composer and répétiteur at the Court Theatre was awarded the Royal Saxon Order of Merit, the Albert Order.<ref>''Address Book. Wohnungs- und Geschäftshandbuch der Königlichen Haupt- und Residenzstadt Dresden für das Jahr 1895. Bearbeitet mit Unterstützung der Königlichen Polizei-Direction'', vol. 41, Dresden [1994], (printing started 5 November 1894, finished 24 December 1894); [http://digital. slub-dresden.de/werkansicht/dlf/75669/616/ 1 Part II. section {{p.|566}} under ''Pittrich, Gg. Washington'']</ref> It was the year in which the opera ''Marga'',<ref>[https://www.loc.gov/resource/musschatz.20680.0?st=gallery Marga : Oper in einem Aufzuge] on Library of Congress</ref> composed by Pittrich, was performed in Dresden at the beginning of February and "achieved a complete success".<ref>"Georg Pittrich" in Roeder, Ernst: ''Das Dresdner Hoftheater der Gegenwart. Biographisch-kritische Skizzen der Mitglieder''. E. Person's Verlag, Dresden/Leipzig, 1896, pp. (271–280) 275</ref>
=== Accident === Pittrich was bitten by a poisonous snake on the Baltic Sea near Lohmen on Rügen in August 1894. This caused his hand and arm to swell dangerously up to the armpit. He had to travel to Greifswald, "where a university professor was able to counteract the blood poisoning with effective remedies", the German-language American newspaper the ''Indiana Tribune'' reported promptly from Saxony on 23 August about the "Correpetitor der Königl. Hofoper Georg Pittrich" in Dresden.<ref>Indiana Tribune, Published in Indianapolis, 17th volume of 23. August 1894, {{p.|2}}; [https://newspapers.library.in.gov/cgi-bin/indiana?a=d&d=IT18940823.1.2 Deutsche Lokal-Nachricht aus Dresden]</ref> "It would not have taken much for the young artist to meet an untimely end," wrote the Dresden writer and editor Roeder on the accident of Pittrich, then a member of the "Königliche musikalische Kapelle" and a young composer. Philipp Ernst Roeder (1862–1897) also mentioned in the biographical sketch that it was the bite of a viper on the island of Rügen, which the Greifswald University Hospital successfully treated.<ref>"Georg Pittrich" in Roeder, Ernst: ''Das Dresdner Hoftheater der Gegenwart. Biographisch-kritische Skizzen der Mitglieder''. E. Person's Verlag, Dresden/Leipzig, 1896, pp. (271–280) 280; Reprint 2010: {{ISBN|978-1-160-35945-0}}</ref>
A year earlier, Pittrich was introduced to the newspaper readers of the ''Indiana Tribune'' as a "young composer" in connection with the announcement of his one-act opera "Mara"<ref>Memorised is the one-act opera ''Marga'': [https://www.loc.gov/resource/musschatz.20680.0/?sp=3&r=-0.531,-0.01,2.062,0.88,0 Title page: Marga. Opera in one performance. Music by Georg Pittrich]</ref> presented as the "first new production at the Dresden Court Opera". In doing so, the news from Dresden highlighted the first-class cast, e.g. with the Kammersängerin Therese Müller (1850–1930), called Malten.<ref>Indiana Tribune, 17th volume, No. 38, 26 October 1893, {{p.|2}} [https://newspapers.library.in.gov/cgi-bin/indiana?a=d&d=IT18931026.1.1 News headline: ''From Dresden one writes'']</ref>
At the piano, Pittrich accompanied Dresden singers at out-of-town performances, such as the Royal Saxon Court opera singer Maria Bossenberger (1872–1919) on 29 March 1898 when she performed Lieder in Leipzig as part of the Liszt-Vereinskonzerte.<ref>''Signale für die musikalische Welt'', 1898; [http://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/anno-plus?aid=smw&datum=1898&page=386&size=45&qid=ZKX39FEE3Z491XCK0PJJ3L823MM0KM {{p.|386}}]</ref>
=== ''Kapellmeister'' at several German theatres === Following his musical activity as a répétiteur at the Dresden Court Theatre, Pittrich became a conductor at various German theatres, including Hamburg (from 1898), Frankfurt (from 1901)<ref>According to ''Der Humorist. Zeitschrift für die Theater- und Kunstwelt'', Vienna 1901, (p. 6) Pittrich conducted for the first time the newly rehearsed ''William Tell'' by Rossini on Easter Monday 1901 in Frankfurt, [http://anno. onb.ac.at/cgi-content/anno?aid=hu1&date=19010420&query=%22Georg%22+%22Pittrich%22&ref=anno-search&page=6 Frankfurter Theaterbrief of 15 May 1901]</ref> in Dresden at the Central-Theater (from 1904). Pittrich first stood at the conductor's podium in Berlin in 1911, when the operetta ''Der verbotene Kuss'' was performed in the ancient Alte Komische Oper Berlin, reported the Berlin journalist {{Ill|Leo Heller|de}} (1876–1941).<ref>''Der Humorist. Zeitschrift für die Theater- und Kunstwelt'', Vienna, No. 20, 10 July 1911, {{p.|4}}; [http://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/anno?aid=hu1&datum=19110710&seite=4&zoom=33&query=%22Georg%22%2B%22Pittrich%22&ref=anno-search report from Berlin]</ref> In the spring of 1912, the "Central-Theater" in Dresden hosted the "farewell benefit" in favour of the "long-time popular Kapellmeister", who went "as conductor to Berlin's Wintergarten".<ref>''Der Humorist'', XXXII. Jahrgang, Vienna, 1 April 1912, No. 10, {{p.|7}}; [http://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/anno?aid=hu1&datum=19120401&query=%22Georg%22+%22Pittrich%22&ref=anno-search&seite=7 ''Zeitschrift für die Theater- und Kunstwelt'']</ref>
During his time as 1st ''Kapellmeister'' at the Berlin Wintergarten theatre<ref>''Hugo Riemann's Musik-Lexikon'', Eighth completely revised edition, Berlin/Leipzig 1916, {{p.|855}}, keyword: "Pittrich"; {{DNB-IDN|974801100}}</ref> and composer, Pittrich lived in the then rural community of Zehlendorf just outside the capital.<ref>''Berliner Adressbuch'', 1913 edition, Part I, {{p.|2347}} column 4; [https://digital.zlb.de/viewer/readingmode/34115495_1913/2364/ Burgrafenstr. 15 and after a change of residence at Charlottenburger Str. 2]</ref>
From 1914, Pittrich worked in Nuremberg. There, he was ''Kapellmeister'' at the Stadttheater from 1922. He also worked as a teacher of role studies at the Nuremberg Conservatory.<ref>Grieb, Manfred H. (ed.): ''Nürnberger Künstlerlexikon: visual artists, craftsmen, scholars, collectors, cultural workers and patrons from the 12th to the mid-20th century'', vol. 2, Biographical Articles H–Pe, {{p.|1153}}, keyword: ''Pittrich, George Washington''; {{ISBN|978-3-11-091296-8}}</ref> In Nuremberg, Pittrich called himself by his first names ''George Washington'', as the official address book in Dresden already recorded him by name.<ref>For example, in the 1905 volume [http://digital.slub-dresden.de/werkansicht/dlf/72722/779/0/ Numerized of the SLUB Dresden]</ref>
With his Christian name "George Washington", Pittrich became known as a composer in the US as well as in England.<ref>Elson, Arthur (1873–1940): ''The Book of Musical Knowledge'', Boston/New York 1915, {{p.|245}}; [Gardners Books 2007; Reprint: Nabu Press 2010], [https://www.worldcat. org/title/book-of-musical-knowledge/oclc/1041608800 WorldCat]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> The ''Einwohnerbuch Nürnberg 1928'' identifies "G. Pittrich" as a ''Kapellmeister'' as well as a conductor, in particular he was active at that time as a "choral director" at the local Alten Stadttheater.<ref>''Einwohnerbuch Nürnberg 1928''. Verlag des Fränkischen Kuriers (O.E. Rauhenzahner); W. Tümmels (Druck), Nürnberg</ref> Pittrich's birthday coincided with that of the first American President George Washington on 22 February and so it happened that his father Carl Gottlob, later Gottlieb, Pittrich (1831–1908),<ref>The former ("departed") military musician lived with his family at 22 Victoriastrasse, Dresden, around 1870; Adress- und Geschäftshandbuch der königlichen Haupt- und Residenzstadt Dresden, 1871, {{p. |234}} column 2</ref> who at that time was "employed by the American Club",<ref>It probably means the "American Emigrants Compagnie"</ref> gave him the president's name as his first name.<ref>"Georg Pittrich" in Roeder, Ernst: ''Das Dresdner Hoftheater der Gegenwart. Biographisch-kritische Skizzen der Mitglieder''. E. Person's Verlag, Dresden/Leipzig, 1896, pp. (271–280) 271</ref>
=== Creations === The composer earned his first fee with the commission to create music for Schiller's ''The Maid of Orleans''. The 21-year-old rehearsed his composition with the court orchestra and conducted the orchestra himself when the drama was first performed in Dresden in 1891.<ref>"Georg Pittrich" in Roeder, Ernst: ''Das Dresdner Hoftheater der Gegenwart. Biographical-critical sketches of the members''. E. Person's Verlag, Dresden/Leipzig, 1896, {{pp.|271|280}} 273f.</ref> The composer dedicated two of his songs, the "Wiegendlied" and the song ''Mägdlein, nimm dich in Acht'' to the Royal Saxon Chamber Singer Clementine von Schuch-Proska (1850–1932)<ref>Title collection by Hofmeister, Friedrich: ''Musikalisch-literarischer Monatsbericht'', volume 1891, {{p.|378}}; [http://anno.onb.ac.at/cgi-content/anno-buch? apm=0&aid=1000001&bd=0001891&part=0203&page=00000378&zoom=2 Numerized: Österreichische Nationalbibliothek (ÖNB) ANNO-Buch]</ref> which appeared in autumn 1891 and became "immediately popular".<ref>"Georg Pittrich" in ''Roeder, Ernst: "Das Dresdner Hoftheater der Gegenwart. Biographical-critical sketches of the members''. E. Person's Verlag, Dresden/Leipzig, 1896, pp. (271–280) 274;</ref>
Pittrich wrote music for operas and plays. For example, under the name Georg Pittrich, he composed the music belonging to the plot for the play ''Das Märchen vom Glück'',<ref>[http://www.erichkaestnerschule-idstein.de/images/Das_M%C3%A4rchen_vom_Gl%C3%BCck.pdf ''Das Märchen vom Glück'' von Erich Kästner]</ref> whereby the right to perform and the sheet music could be obtained from the author, Adele Osterloh through the mediation of E. Pierson's Verlagsbuchhandlung in Dresden and Leipzig.<ref>Contemporary advertisement from 1900 [p. 120]; reprint, printed in Wrocław: ''The Merry Farmer'', published by Adamant Media Corporation, Elibron Classics; {{ISBN|0-543-77124-5}}</ref> The music critic and writer Friedrich Adolf Geißler (1868–1931) judged Pittrich to be a "highly gifted and energetic Kapellmeister"<ref>in ''Die Musik''. Publisher: Bernhard Schuster, vol. XXVII (1907/08); published by Schuster und Loeffler, Berlin/Leipzig 1907/1908, {{p.|244}}</ref> and referred to his "musically excellent" preparation of the performance of Franz Lehar's operetta ''{{Ill|Der Mann mit den drei Frauen|de}}'' at the Central-Theater Dresden.
Previously, the music critic Geißler attested to ''Kapellmeister'' Pittrich that he had "proved himself as a finely sensitive, secure and spirited conductor in the best possible way", referring to the first performances of ''Die Dollarprinzessin'' by Leo Fall and Heinrich Berté's operetta ''Der kleine Chevalier'' in Dresden in 1907 by the Zentraltheater.<ref>''Die Musik''. Published by Schuster & Loeffler, Berlin, VII. year, 1907/1908, issue 10, Second February issue, {{p.|234}}</ref> Among the successful compositions of Pittrich's Dresden period was the music for the Christmas fairy tale ''Die Mäusekönigin'' or ''Wie der Wald in die Stadt kam'',<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=i_5emwEACAAJ ''Die Mäusekönigin oder Wie der Wald in die Stadt kam:''] on Google Books</ref> for which F. A. Geißler wrote the text. The play saw its 25th performance at the Dresden Central Theatre on 4 January 1906.<ref>Dresdner Journal, 1906, No. 1, 2 January (nocturnal edition), {{p.|6}} [https://de.wikisource.org/wiki/Dresdner_Journal,_1906,_Nr._1,_Dienstag,_den_2._Januar_nachmittags Wikisource]</ref> The music critic Ludwig Hartmann (1836–1910) praised Pittrich as a "talented conductor" who "worked discipline and delicacy out of the original vaudeville orchestra" of the Dresden Central Theatre, and he referred to the quality of the conducting of Leo Fall's (1873–1925) operetta ''The Merry Farmer'' in 1909.<ref>''Dresdner Neueste Nachrichten'', 23 March 1909, {{p.|1}} ''Kleines Feuilleton''</ref>
=== Portrait === A portrait of the composer Georg Pittrich was published in the official journal of the Deutscher Bühnenverein ''Bühne und Welt'' in 1899/1900.... He is characterised there by Goby Eberhardt<ref>This is Johann Jakob Eberhardt (1853–1926) musician and author</ref> as "a talented young musician whose opera ''Marga'' met with great acclaim in Dresden."<ref>Elsner, E. u. G. Elsner (eds.): ''Bühne und Welt'', II. volume I. Half-year October 1899 to March 1900, Berlin 1900, p. 396 bzw. 400</ref> As a young musician, Pittrich – dressed in tailcoat and white dress shirt with black bow tie, resting his left hand on a dresser and touching his waistcoat with his right hand on the pocket watch chain – was portrayed by the Royal Saxon and Royal Prussian court photographer Wilhelm Höffert. A bust portrait of this motif was published in 1896 in the biographical-critical sketches of the Dresden Court Theatre.<ref>Image "Georg Pittrich", in Roeder, Ernst: ''Das Dresdner Hoftheater der Gegenwart. Biographical-critical sketches of the members.'' E. Person's Verlag, Dresden/Leipzig, 1896; portrait plate between pages 272 and 273</ref>
Court supplier Höffert advertised with the coats of arms of the Saxon and Prussian ruling houses as well as that of the Prince of Wales on the cabinet photo.<ref>Sammlungen der Stadt- und Universitäts-Bibliothek Frankfurt am Main; [http://sammlungen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/manskopf/urn/urn:nbn:de:hebis:30:2-145061 "Kniestück", Signature of the Original: S 36/F09534]</ref>
A hip picture of Pittrich,<ref>Collections of the University Library (UB) Frankfurt; [http://sammlungen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/manskopf/content/titleinfo/5488283 postcard format]</ref> photographed in 1902 by the court photographer Arthur Marx<ref>''Mahlau's Frankfurter Adressbuch'', 34th volume (1902); [http://sammlungen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/periodika/periodical/pageview/8683498? query=Addressbook%201902 p. 264 Sp. 2; Numerized: Collections of the UB Frankfurt]</ref> in Frankfurt, has been in the collection of the Stadt- und Universitäts-Bibliothek there since 2003.<ref>Signature of the original: S 36/F05762</ref> At that time, Pittrich worked as 2nd ''Kapellmeister'' of the united municipal theatres in Frankfurt, especially from 1901 at the opera house. The contemporary Theatre Memorial printed a portrait photo of him and it called the ''Kapellmeister'' by his first and family name "Georg Pittrich"<ref>Hartwig, Georg: ''Theater-Memorial der vereinigten Stadttheater zu Frankfurt'', Leipzig 1902, {{p.|23}} "Personalverzeichnis Oper",</ref> while in the address book for 1902 he was entered with the name "Pittrich George W."<ref>''Mahlau's Frankfurter Adressbuch'', 34. Jahrgang (1902); [http://sammlungen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/periodika/periodical/pageview/8683546?query=Adressbuch%201902 p. 312 sp. 2; Numerized: Collections of the UB Frankfurt]</ref> The portrait in the "Theatre Memorial" shows Pittrich with a moustache in a dark suit, standing in front of a round table while leaning with his right hand on a book lying there.<ref>Note under the picture: "Original by W. Höffert, Hofphotograph. Hamburg."</ref> In May 1901, when Pittrich was still working in Hamburg as ''Kapellmeister'',<ref>Hamburger Adress-Buch 1901; [http://agora.sub.uni-hamburg.de/subhh-adress/digbib/view?did=c1:387566&sdid=c1:388087&hit=11 Numerized dof the SUB Hamburg]</ref> he had a print of the original of the soprano Bianca Bianchi, actually widowed Pollini († 1897), ''née'' Bertha Schwarz, (1855–1947) on the occasion of her farewell from the stage with a handwritten dedication on the back.
== Legacy == Pittrich died in Nuremberg at the age of 64. As early as 1931, he was listed in his last function as "head of the drama music" and no longer as "choral director" as still in 1930<ref>Deutsches Bühnen-Jahrbuch, vol. 41, publisher: "Genossenschaft Deutscher Bühnen-Angehöriger" for 1930</ref> at the "Vereinigte Städtische Theatern Nürnberg-Fürth". His flat was at Campestraße 4 in the Nuremberg district of Sankt Johannis.<ref>[http://www.bmlo.uni-muenchen.de/p0953 Pittrich, George Washington] on BMLO</ref>
The Nuremberg musicologist Wilhelm Dupont (1905–1992) compiled an index of the composer Pittrich's works between 1890 and 1908.<ref>Dupont, Wilhelm: ''Werkausgaben Nürnberger Komponisten in Vergangenheit und Gegenwart'', Nuremberg 1971; {{pp.|247|251}}; {{DNB-IDN|730452980}}</ref>
In an obituary of the ''Genossenschaft Deutscher BühnenAngehöriger''<ref>''Deutsches Bühnen-Jahrbuch'', vol. 46, 1935, Register {{p.|48}}, column 2 [Theatre History Yearbook and Address Book]. Publisher: Genossenschaft der deutschen Bühnen-Angehörigen</ref> for the dead from the month of March 1934, the editor emphasised with Pittrich that he had made "many friends".<ref>''Deutsches Bühnen-Jahrbuch'', vol. 46, publisher: "Genossenschaft Deutscher Bühnen-Angehöriger", 1935, {{p.|57}}</ref>
The eldest son of George Washington Pittrich and his wife Else, ''née'' König, the actor Fritz Pittrich (born 1904), worked at the Städtische Bühnen Nuremberg as stage manager and actor<ref>Ulrich, Paul S.: ''Biographisches Verzeichnis für Theater, Tanz und Musik'', Vol. 2, Berlin 1997, keywords: ''Pittrich, Fritz'' and ''Pittrich, George Washington''; {{DNB-IDN|951318594}}</ref> when G. Pittrich ceased to be chief conductor and ''Kapellmeister'' there.<ref>For a time, the Pittrichs lived together in Nuremberg's Campestraße; Deutsches Bühnen-Jahrbuch, vol. 45, publisher: Genossenschaft Deutscher Bühnen-Angehöriger 1934, {{p.|32}}, Fritz Pittrich Campestr. 4 in Nuremberg.</ref>
Concert timpani with hand-hammered copper kettles in kettle sizes according to the Pittrich-Dresdner tradition go back to an invention<ref>German Imperial Patent (DRP) No. 15199 from 1881</ref> of his father Carl (also Karl) Pittrich, when he was orchestra servant of the court orchestra in Dresden in 1881.<ref>Adress- und Geschäfts-Handbuch, Dresden 1881; [http://digital. slub-dresden.de/werkansicht/dlf/76172/357/ Numerized of the SLUB Dresden]</ref> Since 1872, Pittrich developed a construction with which the skin tension of the timpani is regulated by pedal steps and not by a crank.<ref>Sachs, Curt: ''Real-Lexikon der Musikinstrumente, zugleich ein Polyglossar für das gesamte Instrumentengebiet''. [Reprographic reprint of the edition Berlin 1913] Hildesheim 1962, {{p.|294}} keyword: "Pedalpauke"; {{DNB-IDN|454248660}}</ref>
The association STRASSE DER MUSIK, founded in 2009 in Halle (Saale), included Georg Pittrich in the ''List of Central German Composers' Jubilees ...'' for the year 2020 on the occasion of his 150th birthday.<ref>STRASSE DER MUSIK E.V., Hegelstr. 73, 06114 Halle (Saale); [http://www.strasse-der-musik.de/1359551612/info_326267/Komponistenjubilaen_2018-2023.pdf PDF] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181210154651/http://www.strasse-der-musik.de/1359551612/info_326267/Komponistenjubilaen_2018-2023.pdf |date=2018-12-10 }}</ref>
The surname ''Pittrich'' is the Upper German form of the name ''Bittrich'', Middle High German: ''büterich'' and means something like "a bulbous drinking vessel", but was also used as a derisive name for the "well-off".<ref>Bahlow, Hans: ''Deutsches Namenlexikon'', {{p.|67}} Spalte 2; {{ISBN|3-8112-0294-4}}</ref>
== Work == * ''Was ihr wollt''. Three songs for voice and piano; Opus 4<ref>W. Bock's Verlag, Dresden [1892]</ref> * Music for the plot of ''Die blonde Kathrein''. Ein Märchenspiel nach Andersen von Richard Voß<ref>Theaterzettel, Weimar, Hoftheater, from 06.12.1901-06, with persons involved in the plot; [https://web.archive.org/web/20190220235915/https://www.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de/item/TFA6RY3TWJQFXT67J2J3G2A5JCODK44G?query=affiliate_fct_role_normdata%3A%28%22http%3A%2F%2Fd-nb.info%2Fgnd%2F116203021_1_affiliate_fct_involved%22%29&isThumbnailFiltered=false&rows=20&offset=0&viewType=list&firstHit=PTBF57V2MUSESQHOMFSZVNGHQKQF6LGA&lastHit=lasthit&hitNumber=2 Deutsche digitale Bibliothek]</ref> * Song ''Hoffnung'', for one singing voice with pianoforte; Opus 18<ref>W. Bocks Verlag [1896]</ref> * Coronation March from ''The Maid of Orleans''<ref>Published by J. G. Seeling, Dresden [1896]</ref> * ''Schlafe, mein Söhnchen, schlaf bald''. Lullaby for Voice and Piano<ref>Published by J. G. Seeling, Dresden [1897]</ref> * ''Kegelbrüder-Marsch''<ref>Published by J. G. Seeling, Dresden [1898]</ref> * ''Serenade for small orchestra'', Opus 21, date of composition around 1899. * Music for ''Das Märchen vom Glück'', play in four acts, poetry: Adele Osterloh * Music for ''Marga'', opera in one act, performed in Dresden in 1894 under Ernst von Schuch<ref>Opera poetry: Arno Spies; [https://www.loc.gov/search?new=true&q=Pittrich Print: Königliche Hofbuchdruckerei von C.C. Meinhold & Söhne, Dresden]</ref> * Three Songs for Male Choir, Opus 35: ''Always stirring, always moving; Mir ist, als ob der Frühling; Du lieber goldner Sonnenschein.''<ref>Published by Fritz Schuberth jr, Leipzig [1900]</ref> * ''Trompeterständchen'' for B-flat trumpet (cornett with piano, Opus. 37.<ref>Verlag Schott, Mainz 1900; new edition for orchestra, Mainz 1904</ref> * ''Ich hab auf meiner Wanderung''. Wanderlied for male voice and piano; Opus 38.<ref>(Musik-)Verlag Benjamin, Hamburg 1901</ref> * ''Barcarole'', Opus 41, work for violin with piano accompaniment, first published 1901.<ref>Title page: [https://imslp.org/wiki/File:PMLP757417-Pittrich_BarcaroleOp41_Piano.pdf The piece is also suitable for flute or oboe with piano accompaniment]</ref> * ''Abendlied'', Opus 42, Deutsche Lokal-Nachricht publication c. 1902<ref>Musikverlag Fr. Kistner & C. F. W. Siegel, Brühl</ref> * ''Pechvogel und Lachtaube''. Tanzmärchen nach Texten von Karl Scheidemantel.<ref>Verlag Schott, Mainz [1902]</ref> * ''Abendlied'' for string orchestra. Opus 42<ref>Publisher Fr. Kistner, Leipzig [1903]</ref> * ''Alexander March'' for piano. Opus 60<ref>Published by Max Franz Aichwalder, Vienna [1904]</ref> * ''Central-Theater-Marsch'' for piano; date of composition 1905<ref>Opus 66 according to Dupont, Wilhelm: ''Werkausgaben Nürnberger Komponisten in Vergangenheit und Gegenwart'', Nuremberg 1971; {{p.|250}}</ref> * Music for the Christmas fairy tale ''The Mouse Queen'' c. 1905/06. * Music for: ''The Star of Bethlehem. Ein deutsches Weihnachts- und Krippenspiel in vier Bildern'' by F. A. Geißler c. 1908<ref>Geißler, Friedrich Adolf (1868-1931), [libretto] Berlin: {{Ill|Felix Bloch Erben|de}} publishing house; Hanover: Musikverlag Oertel; [https://gso.gbv.de/DB=2.1/PPNSET?PPN=302656561 GVK title record]</ref> * ''Hussarenfieber'', march for orchestra or piano, date of composition 1908<ref>Opus 82 according to Dupont, Wilhelm: ''Werkausgaben Nürnberger Komponisten in Vergangenheit und Gegenwart'', Nuremberg 1971; {{p.|251}}</ref> * ''Beethoven: I invite you to a serious celebration''<ref>Sixth Supplement to the Special Handbook. An alphabetically arranged index of all mixed potpourris (fantasies and quodlibets) of melodramatic works (with pianoforte accompaniment), works for the left hand as well as works for the accompaniment of children's instruments cover the period from August 1901 to February 1910, compiled and edited by Ernst Challier, Giessen 1910, melodramas {{p.|121}} [https://archive.org/details/specialhandbuch00selbgoog/page/n126, Numbered]</ref> * Music for ''Princess Turandot''. Subtitled ''Schaurette nach Carlo Gozzi'' by Waldfried Burggraf who authored it in 1923.<ref>Published by Oesterheld & Co., Berlin 1925 [1924 edition]</ref> * Music for the ballet ''Pechvogel und Lachtaube: pantomimisches Tanzmärchen'' by Karl Scheidemantel (1859-1923)<ref>Towards the Stages Manuscript; Pantomimic Dance Tale. [https://gso.gbv.de/DB=2.1/SET=1/TTL=1/MAT=/NOMAT=T/CLK?IKT=8062&TRM=Pechvogel+and+Lachtaube GVK title record]</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}}
== External links == * {{DNB portal|116203021}} * Bildnis des Korrepetitors Georg Pittrich im Jahre 1892, aufgenommen im Atelier des Dresdner Hofphotographen Adam A. Adler, Inhaber der Firma August Adler; [http://www.deutschefotothek.de/documents/obj/81452510 Deutsche Fotothek, Datensatz 81452510] * Porträt des jungen Dresdner Komponisten Georg Pittrich im Cabinet card, aufgenommen von Wilhelm Höffert, Königlich-Sächsischer und Königlich-Preußischer Hof-Photograph; [http://sammlungen.ub.uni-frankfurt.de/download/pdf/5540108?name=Georg%20Pittrich%20Kniest%C3%BCck Sammlungen der UB Frankfurt] * Bildnis des Komponisten Pittrich; [https://www.deutsche-digitale-bibliothek.de/item/S6RZDJCLL776G6PXASJNXTXV4NICGPMS?query=Georg+Pittrich&thumbnail-filter=on&isThumbnailFiltered=true&rows=20&offset=0&viewType=list&firstHit=S6RZDJCLL776G6PXASJNXTXV4NICGPMS&lastHit=lasthit&hitNumber=1 Deutsche Digitale Bibliothek; Datengeber: Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Hamburg]{{Dead link|date=August 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} * Bildnis des Kapellmeisters Georg Pittrich um 1901; [https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_QF8OAAAAYAAJ/page/n29 Hartwig, Georg Vorwort: Dez. 1901: Theater-Memorial der vereinigten Stadt-Theater zu Frankfurt am Main, Verlag von Carl Elsiepen, 1902, {{p.|29}}] * „Pittrich, George Washington“ in ''Nürnberger Künstlerlexikon: Bildende Künstler, Kunsthandwerker, Gelehrte …''. {{p.|1153}}; {{ISBN|978-3-11-091296-8}}. ({{Google Books| BuchID=hoRcf4LFZUcC |page=912 | Hervorhebung=adressbuch nürnberg 1915}}) * Titelaufnahme von Kompositionen durch ''Virtuelle Fachbibliothek Musikwissenschaften VIFA'' [https://www.vifamusik.de/metaopac/refineSearch.do;jsessionid=D4F5BDEB944CD248A358CD4238161B08.touch01?id=author_facet&methodToCall=filterSearch&subval=Pittrich%2CGeorg Georg Pittrich] * Theaterzettel des Großherzoglichen Hof-Theaters in Weimar zur Aufführung von "Die blonde Kathrein", 18 March 1898; [https://dfg-viewer.de/show/?tx_dlf%5Bid%5D=https%3A%2F%2Farchive.thulb.uni-jena.de%2Fstaatsarchive%2Fservlets%2FMCRMETSServlet%2FThHStAW_derivate_00033990%3FXSL.Style%3Ddfg&set%5Bimage%5D=1 zum Bestand des Landesarchivs von Thüringen gehörend!] * Plakat der Erstaufführung von ''Prinzessin Turandot'', 14 March 1925 im Stadttheater Bremen; [http://brema.suub.uni-bremen.de/suubtheater/periodical/pageview/2035932 Musik von Georg Pittrich] * Biografische Angaben zu den Eltern von Georg Pittrich im [https://www.stadtwikidd.de/wiki/Carl_Pittrich Stadtwiki Dresden: Carl Pittrich] * [https://archive.thulb.uni-jena.de/staatsarchive/receive/ThHStAW_person_00002836 Digitales Landesarchiv Thüringen, GND: 116203021] * {{IMSLP|id=Pittrich, Georg}}
{{authority control}} {{portal bar|Biography|Classical music|Germany}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Pittrich, Georg}} Category:19th-century German male composers Category:20th-century German male composers Category:German opera composers Category:1870 births Category:1934 deaths Category:Musicians from Dresden