Wolf, Hugo (1860 - 1903)

Hugo Wolf was a man torn by inner conflict. On the one hand he was sensitive, lyrical and subtle in his lieder, and on the other hand a lively and harsh critic of the contemporary Viennese music scene. Wolf is described in the subtitle of one biography – not without justification – as the ”angry romantic”. Born in Windischgratz, today Slovenj Gradec in Slovenia, on 13th March 1860, he died insane surrounded by his closest friends on 22nd February 1903. Wolf, who wrote opera, orchestra, chamber and choral music, is the most important composer of lieder between Brahms and Schönberg.