Hans Sitt
Encyclopedia
Jan Hanuš Sitt, known as Hans Sitt, (21 September 1850, Prague
– 10 March 1922, Leipzig
), was a Bohemian
-German
violin
ist, violist
, teacher, and composer
. During his lifetime, he was regarded as one of the foremost teachers of violin. Most of the orchestras and conservatories of Europe and North America then sported personnel who numbered among his students.
Born in Prague
, Sitt's father was a prominent violin maker there. Hans' musical talent manifested itself early and from all accounts, he could easily have enjoyed the typical career of a “wunderkind” had his parents chosen to exploit him, but they wisely refused this course. Instead, he was allowed to have a normal life and received a regular education at a gymnasium (high school) before being sent to the Prague Conservatory
where he studied violin and composition. Subsequently, he pursued a successful solo career for a short time before being appointed concertmaster of the Breslau Opera Orchestra at age 17, the first of many such appointments. In addition, he was a conductor of repute holding positions with orchestras in France, Austria and Germany.
Sitt held the august position of Professor of Violin at the Leipzig
Conservatory from 1883 on, and authored several important studies for that instrument, some of which are still used. From 1883 to 1895, Sitt played the viola in the Brodsky Quartet
of Leipzig along with Hugo Becker
, Julius Klengel
, and founder Adolph Brodsky
.
Besides his pedagogical works, Sitt wrote several pieces for violin and orchestra, including six concertos and a number of sonatas for various instruments. Sadly, the only chamber music of his we have are two piano trios which were composed during the 1880s. While Sitt’s trios are not massive chamber works which attempt to “scale the heights” neither are they trivial. Sitt is a master of the genre. The writing for all three instruments leaves little to be desired, each is exploited to its best advantage.
Sitt is responsible for the best-known orchestration of Edvard Grieg
's Norwegian Dances, Op.35, an 1881 work for piano duet.
Concertante
Violin
Viola
Cello
Pedagogical
Choral
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
– 10 March 1922, Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
), was a Bohemian
Bohemian
A Bohemian is a resident of the former Kingdom of Bohemia, either in a narrow sense as the region of Bohemia proper or in a wider meaning as the whole country, now known as the Czech Republic. The word "Bohemian" was used to denote the Czech people as well as the Czech language before the word...
-German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
ist, violist
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
, teacher, and composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
. During his lifetime, he was regarded as one of the foremost teachers of violin. Most of the orchestras and conservatories of Europe and North America then sported personnel who numbered among his students.
Born in Prague
Prague
Prague is the capital and largest city of the Czech Republic. Situated in the north-west of the country on the Vltava river, the city is home to about 1.3 million people, while its metropolitan area is estimated to have a population of over 2.3 million...
, Sitt's father was a prominent violin maker there. Hans' musical talent manifested itself early and from all accounts, he could easily have enjoyed the typical career of a “wunderkind” had his parents chosen to exploit him, but they wisely refused this course. Instead, he was allowed to have a normal life and received a regular education at a gymnasium (high school) before being sent to the Prague Conservatory
Prague Conservatory
Prague Conservatory, sometimes also Prague Conservatoire, in Czech Pražská konzervatoř, is a Czech secondary school in Prague dedicated to teaching the arts of music and theater acting.- Instruction :...
where he studied violin and composition. Subsequently, he pursued a successful solo career for a short time before being appointed concertmaster of the Breslau Opera Orchestra at age 17, the first of many such appointments. In addition, he was a conductor of repute holding positions with orchestras in France, Austria and Germany.
Sitt held the august position of Professor of Violin at the Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
Conservatory from 1883 on, and authored several important studies for that instrument, some of which are still used. From 1883 to 1895, Sitt played the viola in the Brodsky Quartet
Brodsky Quartet (Adolph Brodsky Leipzig)
The Brodsky Quartet was a String quartet led by Adolph Brodsky. It was established on 1884, while Brodsky was professor at the Leipzig Conservatoire. The founding members, aside from Brodsky were Ottokar Nováček , Hans Sitt and Leopold Grützmacher .In 1885, Hans Becker replaced Nováček and...
of Leipzig along with Hugo Becker
Hugo Becker
for french actor see Hugo BeckerHugo Becker was a prominent German cellist, cello teacher, and composer. He studied at a young age with Alfredo Piatti, and later Friedrich Grützmacher in Dresden.He was born in 1863 in Strasbourg; his father Jean Becker was a famous violinist...
, Julius Klengel
Julius Klengel
Julius Klengel was a German cellist who is most famous for his etudes and solo pieces written for the instrument. He was the brother of Paul Klengel....
, and founder Adolph Brodsky
Adolph Brodsky
Adolph Davidovich Brodsky was a Russian violinist.He enjoyed a long and illustrious career as a performer and teacher, starting early in Vienna, going on to Moscow, Leipzig, and New York City and finally Manchester. During its course he met and worked with composers such as Tchaikovsky and...
.
Besides his pedagogical works, Sitt wrote several pieces for violin and orchestra, including six concertos and a number of sonatas for various instruments. Sadly, the only chamber music of his we have are two piano trios which were composed during the 1880s. While Sitt’s trios are not massive chamber works which attempt to “scale the heights” neither are they trivial. Sitt is a master of the genre. The writing for all three instruments leaves little to be desired, each is exploited to its best advantage.
Sitt is responsible for the best-known orchestration of Edvard Grieg
Edvard Grieg
Edvard Hagerup Grieg was a Norwegian composer and pianist. He is best known for his Piano Concerto in A minor, for his incidental music to Henrik Ibsen's play Peer Gynt , and for his collection of piano miniatures Lyric Pieces.-Biography:Edvard Hagerup Grieg was born in...
's Norwegian Dances, Op.35, an 1881 work for piano duet.
Orchestral
- Nocturne und Scherzo for orchestra, Op.6
- Ouverture zu A. Leschivo's "Don Juan d'Austria" for orchestra, Op.20 (c.1884, performed 1891)
- Wiegenlied und Gavotte for string orchestra, Op.48 (1892); also for violin and piano
Concertante
- Nocturne in F major for violin and orchestra (1883)
- Concerto No.1 in D minor for violin and orchestra, Op.11 (1884)
- Concerto No.2 in A minor for violin and orchestra, Op.21 (published 1890)
- Concertino No.1 in A minor for violin and orchestra, Op.28 (1888)
- Polonaise for violin and orchestra (or piano), Op.29 (published 1885)
- Concertino No.2 in E minor for violin (in the first 3 positions) and orchestra, Op.31 (published 1889)
- Concerto No.1 in A minor for cello and orchestra, Op.34 (1890)
- Concerto No.2 in D minor for cello and orchestra, Op.38 (c.1890)
- Concertstück (Concert Piece) in G minor for viola and orchestra, Op.46 (published c.1890)
- Concertino No.3 in D minor for violin (in the first 5 positions) and orchestra, Op.65 (published 1896)
- Concerto in A minor for viola and orchestra, Op.68 (published 1900)
- Concertino in A Minor for violin (in the first 5 positions) and orchestra, Op.70 (1898)
- Concertino in A minor for violin (in the first position) and orchestra, Op.93 (1906)
- Romance in G minor for viola and orchestra, Op.72 (1900)
- Concerto No.3 in D minor for violin and orchestra, Op.111 (1912)
- Konzertstück: Allegro appassionato, Romanze und Tarantelle for violin or viola and orchestra (or piano), Op.119 (1916)
Chamber music
- Piano Trio No.1 in G major, Op.63 No.1 (composed 1880s)
- Piano Trio No.2 in B major, Op.63 No.2
- Rêverie for horn and piano, Op.75 No.2 (published 1902); original for viola and piano
Violin
- Gretchen: Paraphrase aus LisztFranz LisztFranz Liszt ; ), was a 19th-century Hungarian composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher.Liszt became renowned in Europe during the nineteenth century for his virtuosic skill as a pianist. He was said by his contemporaries to have been the most technically advanced pianist of his age...
's Faust-SymphonieFaust SymphonyA Faust Symphony in three character pictures , S.108, or simply the "Faust Symphony", was written by Hungarian composer Franz Liszt and was inspired by Johann von Goethe's drama, Faust...
for violin and piano (c.1880) - Namenlose Blätter for violin and piano, Op.10
- Romanesca in B minor, Melodie and Gondoliera for violin and piano, Op.13 (published 1894)
- Drei Stücke (3 Pieces) for violin and piano, Op.14 (1885)
- Romanze for cello (or violin) and piano (or organ), Op.17 (1884)
- Cavatine und Barcarole for violin and piano, Op.25 (1887)
- Aus der Jugendzeit, 12 Pieces for violin (in the first position) and piano, Op.26 (1885)
- Lose Blätter (Loose Album Leaves), 10 Pieces for violin (in the first 3 positions) and piano, Op.37b (1880s); original version for piano solo
- Sechs Fantasiestücke (6 Fantasy Pieces) for violin and piano, Op.40
- Violin-Duette, sechs leichte instructive Duette (Violin Duets, 6 Easy Instructive Duets) for 2 violins, Op.42
- Wiegenlied und Gavotte for violin and piano, Op.48 (1892); also for string orchestra
- Polonaise No.2 in A major for violin and piano, Op.49 (published 1893)
- Romanze und Mazurka for violin and piano, Op.52 (1892)
- 3 Berceuses for violin and piano, Op.56
- Drei Sonatinen (3 Sonatinas) (in C major, A minor, and D major) for violin and piano, Op.62 (1895)
- Barcarolle und Canzonetta for violin and piano, Op.64 (1894); also for cello and piano
- Drei Fantasien in progressiver Reihenfolge (3 Fantasias in Progressive Sequence) for violin and piano, Op.66
- Romanze, Nocturne, Scherzo-Tarantelle for violin and piano, Op.71 (1898)
- Zwanzig kleine Vortragsstücke (20 Short Concert Pieces) for violin and piano, Op.73 (1900)
- Drei kleine Fantasien über Weihnachtslieder (3 Short Fantasies on Christmas Carols) for violin and piano, Op.74 (published 1903)
- Zwölf Melodische Vortragsstücke (12 Melodic Concert Pieces) for violin (in the first position) and piano, Op.78 (1902)
- Bunte Blätter, 12 Easy Pieces for violin (in the first position) and piano, Op.84 (1904)
- Zwei Stücke (Two Pieces) for violin and piano, Op.87 (1905)
- Drei Stücke (3 Pieces) for violin and piano, Op.89
-
- Albumblatt (Album Leaf) in G major
- Langsamer Waltzer (Slow Waltz) in A major
- Marsch (March) in C major
- Drei Duette in der ersten Lage für Anfänger (3 Duets in the First Position for Beginniners) for 2 violins, Op.91 (1905)
- Suite (Präludium, Menuet, Arioso, Intermezzo, Introduction und Gavotte) for violin and piano (1905)
- Drei instruktive Vortragsstücke (3 Instructive Concert Pieces) for violin and piano, Op.94 (1906)
- Romanze
- Bagatelle
- Polonaise in D major
- Mosaik: Zwölf kleine Vortragsstücke (Mosaic: 12 Short Concert Pieces) for violin and piano, Op.95 (1906)
- Sechs lyrische Stücke (6 Lyrical Pieces) for violin and piano, Op.96 (1907)
- Drei Stücke (3 Pieces) for violin and piano, Op.97 (1907)
- Romanze in A major
- Barkarole in G minor
- Mazurka in D minor
- Drei Stücke (3 Pieces) for violin and piano, Op.102
- Schüler-Konzertino No.1 in der ersten Lage (Student's Concertino No.1 in the First Position) in C major for violin and piano, Op.104 (1909)
- Schüler-Konzertino No.2 in den ersten 3 Lagen (Student's Concertino No.2 in the First 3 Positions) in A minor for violin and piano, Op.108 (1909)
- Drei Sonatinen (3 Sonatinas) for violin and piano, Op.109 (1910)
- Schüler-Konzertino No.3 in den ersten 5 Lagen (Student's Concertino No.3 in the First 5 Positions) in D minor for violin and piano, Op.110 (1911)
- Gavotte for violin and piano, Op.113 No.3 (1912)
- Drei kleine leichte Duette in der 1.-3. Lage (3 Short Easy Duets in the First 3 Positions) for 2 violins, Op.117 (1913)
- Drei kleine leichte Duette in der 1.-3. Lage (3 Short Easy Duets in the First 3 Positions) for 2 violins, Op.118 (1913)
- Concertino for 2 violins (in the first 3 positions) and piano, Op.133 (1920)
Viola
- 6 Albumblätter (6 Album Leaves) for viola and piano, Op.39 (published 1891)
- 3 Fantasiestücke (3 Fantasy Pieces) for viola and piano, Op.58 (1894?)
- 3 Stücke (3 Pieces) for viola and piano, Op.75 (1901)
- Gavotte und Mazurka for viola and piano, Op.132 (1919)
- Romanze for viola and piano, Op.102 No.1 (1909); original from Drei Stücke (3 Pieces) for violin and piano; transcription by the composer
Cello
- Romanze for cello (or violin) and piano (or organ), Op.17 (1884)
- Scherzo in A minor for cello and piano, Op.35 (published c.1880)
- Drei Stücke (3Pieces) for cello and piano, Op.33 (1889)
- Kleine Stücke for cello and piano, Op.45
- Barcarolle und Canzonetta for cello and piano, Op.64 (1894); also for violin and piano
- Serenade for cello and piano (published 1914)
PedagogicalPedagogyPedagogy is the study of being a teacher or the process of teaching. The term generally refers to strategies of instruction, or a style of instruction....
works
- Nachtrag zu Henry Schradieck's Tonleiterstudien (Supplement to Henry SchradieckHenry SchradieckHenry Schradieck was one of the foremost violin teachers of his day. He wrote a series of etude books for the violin which are still in common use today....
's Scale Studies) for violin (1887) - Zwölf Etüden für Violine (12 Studies for Violin), Op.30
- 100 Etüden als Unterrichtsmaterial zu jeder Violinschule zu gebrauchen (100 Studies for Use as a Supplement to Any Violin Method) for violin, Op.32 (published 1895)
-
- Book I – 20 Etüden in der 1. Lage (20 Studies in the First Position)
- Book II – 20 Etüden in der 2., 3., 4. und 5. Lage (20 Studies in the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th Positions)
- Book III – 20 Etüden, Lagenwechsel (20 Studies in Changing Positions)
- Book IV – 20 Etüden in der 6. und 7. Lage (20 Studies in the 6th and 7th Positions)
- Book V – 20 Etüden, Doppelgriffe (20 Studies in Double Stopping)
- Tonleiterstudien für Violine in Doppelgriffen (Scale Studies for Violin in Double Stopping), Op.41
- Praktische Bratschen-Schule (Practical Viola School) (1891)
- Zwanzig Etüden zur Ausbildung in der linken Hand (20 Studies for the Left Hand) for violin, Op.51 (1892)
- 20 Studien für Violine für vorgerücktere Schüler (20 Studies for Violin for More Advanced Pupils), Op.69 (1899)
- 24 Etüden für Violine in 24 verschiedenen Tonarten als Vorstudien zu Rode's Capricen zu benutzen (24 Studies for Violin in Different Keys: Preparatory Studies to RodePierre RodeJacques Pierre Joseph Rode was a French violinist and composer.-Biography:Born in Bordeaux, Aquitaine, France, Pierre Rode traveled to Parisat the age of 13 and soon became a favourite pupil of the great Giovanni Battista Viotti who found the boy so talented that he charged him no fee for the...
's Caprices), Op. 80 (1902) - Zwanzig Etüden für Anfänger in der ersten Lage (20 Studies for Beginners in the First Position) for violin, Op.90 (1904)
- Technische Studien für Violine (Technical Studies for Violin), Op.92 (1905)
- Fünfzig tägliche Übungen zur Ausbildung der linken Hand (50 Daily Exercises for the Left Hand) for violin, Op.98 (1907)
- Dur und Moll: 28 leichte melodische Etüden für Violine (erste Lage) zur Befestigung der Intonation in allen Tonarten (Major and Minor: 28 Easy Melodic Studies for Violin (First Position) for Reinforcement of Intonation in All Keys), Op.107 (1909)
- Fünfzehn Etüden (15 Studies) for viola, Op.116 (1913)
- 40 besondere Übungen in den ersten 5 Lagen (40 Special Studies in the First 5 Positions) for violin, Op.134 (published 1921)
- Schule der Geläufigkeit und Fingerfertigkeit: 60 besondere Übungen zur Ausbildung der linken Hand (School of Velocity: 60 Special Studies for Agility of the Left Hand), Op.135 (published 1921)
Piano
- Dornröschen Polka (Sleeping Beauty Polka) for piano, Op.8 (c.1880)
- Namenlose Blätter (Untitled Album Leaves), 10 Pieces for piano, Op.10 (published 1902)
- Petite Sérénade for piano, Op.33
- Lose Blätter (Loose Album Leaves), 10 Pieces for piano, Op.37 (1880s); also for violin and piano
Vocal
- Zwei Lieder (2 Songs) for voice and piano, Op.18 (c.1880)
- Fünf Lieder (5 Songs) for voice and piano, Op.36 (c.1900)
- Weihnachtslied (Christmas Song) for voice and piano (1897); words by Julius SturmJulius SturmJulius Sturm , German poet, was born at Köstritz in the principality of Reuss.He studied theology at Jena from 1837 to 1841, and was appointed preceptor to the hereditary prince Henry XIV of Reuss. In 1851 he became pastor of Göschitz near Schleiz, and in 1857 at his native village of Köstritz. In...
- An Graf Zeppelin for voice (or unison chorus) and piano
Choral
- Zu Strassburg auf der langen Brück’, Swiss Folk Song (1890s)
- Festhymne for male chorus and orchestra, Op.55; words by Fritz Lange (1873–1933)
- Sandmännchen: rheinisches Volkslied for male chorus (c.1900)
- Drei Lieder für Männerchor (3 Songs for Male Chorus), Op.60 (published c.1900); words by Georg von ÖrtzenGeorg, Baron von OrtzenKarl Friedrich Theodor Ludwig Georg, Baron von Örtzen , German poet and prose-writer, was born at Brunn in Mecklenburg-Schwerin...
, Gustav KastroppGustav KastroppGustav Kastropp was a German poet, librettist and musician. Kastropp's texts were used by composers such as Georg Schumann, Eugen d'Albert and Bernhard Stavenhagen.-Biography:...
and Rudolf BaumbachRudolf BaumbachRudolf Baumbach was a German poet.Born in Kranichfeld in Thuringia, Germany, the son of a local medical practitioner, he received his early schooling at the gymnasium of Meiningen, to which place his father had moved... - Drei Lieder für gemischten Chor (3 Songs for Mixed Chorus), Op.76 (1901)
- Drei Lieder für Männerchor (3 Songs for Male Chorus), Op.77 (published 1901); words by Julius Gersdorff
- Drei Männerchore (3 Male Choruses), Op.82 (1902); words by August Naaf, Felix DahnFelix DahnFelix Ludwig Julius Dahn was a German lawyer, author and historian.-Biography:Julius Sophus Felix Dahn was born in Hamburg as the oldest son of Friedrich and Constanze Dahn who were notable actors at the city's theatre. The family had both German and French roots...
and Rudolf Dietz - Vergebliche Flucht for male chorus, Op.83 (1902); words by Julius SturmJulius SturmJulius Sturm , German poet, was born at Köstritz in the principality of Reuss.He studied theology at Jena from 1837 to 1841, and was appointed preceptor to the hereditary prince Henry XIV of Reuss. In 1851 he became pastor of Göschitz near Schleiz, and in 1857 at his native village of Köstritz. In...
- Böhmische Volkslieder für gemischten Chor (Bohemian Folk Songs for Mixed Chorus) (1901)
- Böhmische Volkslieder für Männerchor (Bohemian Folk Songs for Male Chorus) (1901)
- Böhmische Volkslieder für Frauenchor (Bohemian Folk Songs for Female Chorus) (1901)
- Die Krone im Rhein for male chorus, Op.85 (1903); words by Ernst von Estouches
- Du mit Strahlen mich begleitend for male chorus, Op.86 No.1 (1904); words by Friedrich RückertFriedrich RückertFriedrich Rückert was a German poet, translator, and professor of Oriental languages.-Biography:Rückert was born at Schweinfurt and was the eldest son of a lawyer. He was educated at the local Gymnasium and at the universities of Würzburg and Heidelberg. From 1816-1817, he worked on the editorial...
- Frommes Wunder for male chorus, Op.86 No.3 (1904); words by Fritz Karstedt
- Heimkehr for male chorus (1904); words by Otto RoquetteOtto RoquetteOtto Roquette was a German author.- Life and Work :The son of a district court councillor, he first went to Bromberg in 1834, and from 1846-1850 studied Philology and History in Heidelberg, Berlin, and Halle. After tours in Switzerland and Italy, he moved to in Berlin in 1852...
External links
- Hans Sitt Piano Trio No.1 Soundbites & Information.
- Hans Sitt Piano Trio No.2 Soundbite & Information.