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2 unusual facts about Herman Rietzel


Herman Rietzel

After studies in Stuttgart, Germany with Wilhelm Speidel, Herman returned to the United States; he made his debut at Steinway Hall in New York on May 10, 1877, and, beginning two years before his death, he performed as soloist with the New York Philharmonic on several occasions; he enjoyed particular success in one of the piano concerti of Hermann Goetz during the season of 1881-1882.

According to an official of Steinway and Sons, Rafael Joseffy spoke highly of Rietzel's promise, and in fact Reitzel was chosen to substitute for Joseffy, who had incurred a hand injury, in Beethoven's Fourth piano concerto with the Staten Island Philharmonic Society on January 24, 1880.


Spofford Lake

On May 26, 1882, while on tour with a company organized by Clara Louise Kellogg, the 19-year-old classical pianist Herman Rietzel, already a concert veteran and considered to be well-launched on a promising career, joined George Conly, a bass singer with the company, for a pleasure outing on the lake.


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