May 5, 1869:
Hans Erich Pfitzner is born in Moscow, Russian Empire, the second child of Carl Robert Pfitzner, a violinist and Anne Wilhelmine Henriette Reimer.
March 31, 1886:
Hans Pfitzner (16) completes his general schooling, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
June 23, 1888:
Scherzo for orchestra by Hans Pfitzner (19) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
May 31, 1889:
Ist der Himmel darum im Lenz so blau? op.2/2, a song for voice and piano by Hans Pfitzner (20) to words of Leander, is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
March 7, 1890:
Two songs for voice and piano by Hans Pfitzner (20) to anonymous words are performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main: Im tiefen Wald verborgen op.2/4, and Zweifelnde Liebe op.6/1.
January 21, 1891:
Sonata for cello and piano op.1 by Hans Pfitzner (21) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
October 1, 1892:
Hans Pfitzner (23) takes up duties as teacher of piano and theory at Coblenz Conservatory.
April 2, 1895:
Der arme Heinrich, a music drama by Hans Pfitzner (25) to words of Grun and the composer after von Aue, is performed for the first time, in Mainz.
November 28, 1895:
Incidental music to Ibsen’s play Das Fest auf Solhaug by Hans Pfitzner (26) is performed for the first time, in Mainz.
May 15, 1896:
Fünf Lieder nach Gedichten von Joseph von Eichendorff op.9 for voice and piano by Hans Pfitzner (27) are performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
December 14, 1896:
Trio for piano, violin, and cello op.8 by Hans Pfitzner (27) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
September 1, 1897:
Hans Pfitzner (28) takes up duties at the Stern Conservatory, Berlin where he will teach piano, theory, composition, and conducting.
June 10, 1899:
Hans Pfitzner (30) marries Maria (Mimi) Kwast, the daughter of James Kwast, Pfitzner’s former piano teacher at the Hoch Conservatory, in a civil ceremony in Canterbury. They have eloped to England.
March 19, 1900:
Richard Strauss (35) and Hans Pfitzner (30) begin their rivalry at a joint concert in Berlin.
November 9, 1901:
Die Rose vom Liebesgarten, an opera with words by Grun and music by Hans Pfitzner (32), is performed for the first time, in Elberfeld, conducted by the composer.
December 18, 1901:
Gretel op.11/5, a song for voice and piano by Hans Pfitzner (32) to words of Busse, is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
January 13, 1903:
String Quartet op.13 by Hans Pfitzner (33) is performed for the first time, in Vienna. The work is dedicated to Alma Mahler.
June 1, 1904:
Die Heinzelmännchen op.14 for bass and orchestra by Hans Pfitzner (35) to words of Kopisch is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
May 1, 1905:
Having both encountered the May Day demonstration in Vienna, Gustav Mahler (44) and Hans Pfitzner (35) have a lengthy argument lasting several hours about class and the merits of socialism, Mahler in favor, Pfitzner against.
October 19, 1905:
Incidental music to von Kleist’s play Das Käthchen von Heilbronn, by Hans Pfitzner (36), is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
December 11, 1906:
Incidental music to von Stach’s play Das Christ-Elflein op.20 by Hans Pfitzner (37) is performed for the first time, in Munich. See 11 December 1917.
August 31, 1907:
Hans Pfitzner (38) concludes his duties at the Stern Conservatory in Berlin.
November 17, 1908:
Piano Quintet op.23 by Hans Pfitzner (39) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
December 6, 1911:
Two works by Hans Pfitzner (42) are performed for the first time, in Strasbourg: Columbus op.16 for chorus to words of Schiller, and Der Blumen Rache for alto, women’s chorus, and orchestra to words of Freiligrath.
March 22, 1915:
Klage op.25/2 for chorus and orchestra by Hans Pfitzner (45) to words of Eichendorff is performed for the first time, in Munich.
March 14, 1916:
Der Trompeter op.25/1, for chorus and orchestra by Hans Pfitzner (46) to words of Kopisch, is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg.
November 10, 1916:
Fünf Lieder op.26 for voice and piano by Hans Pfitzner (47) is performed for the first time, in Strasbourg.
June 12, 1917:
Hans Pfitzner’s (48) musical legend Palestrina, to his own libretto, is performed for the first time, in Munich.
December 11, 1917:
Das Christ-Elflein, a spieloper by Hans Pfitzner (48) to his own words after von Stach, is performed for the first time, in Dresden. This is a revision of his incidental music for von Stach’s play. See 11 December 1906.
September 5, 1918:
Sonata for violin and piano op.27 by Hans Pfitzner (49) is performed for the first time, in Munich at the first event of the newly founded Hans-Pfitzner-Vereins für deutsche Tonkunst.
September 25, 1918:
Sonata for violin and piano op.27 by Hans Pfitzner (49) is performed for the first time, in Munich.
October 16, 1918:
Hans Pfitzner (49) gives his last concert in Strasbourg.
November 9, 1918:
Hans Pfitzner (49) and his family depart Strasbourg for Munich. It has been their home since 1908. He will never see it again.
January 27, 1922:
Von deutscher Seele op.28, a cantata by Hans Pfitzner (52) to words of Eichendorff, is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
January 22, 1923:
Hans Pfitzner (53) enters a hospital in Munich-Schwabing for a gallbladder operation. While he is convalescing, he is introduced through a mutual friend to Adolf Hitler. When Hitler expresses the wish that all Jews should kill themselves, Pfitzner remarks that one can not expect that to happen. This causes Hitler to become angry and he leaves.
March 16, 1923:
Concerto for piano and orchestra op.31 by Hans Pfitzner (53) is performed for the first time, in Dresden.
September 7, 1923:
Vier Lieder nach Gedichten von CF Meyer op.32 for voice and piano by Hans Pfitzner (54) are performed for the first time, in Munich.
October 3, 1923:
Alte Weisen op.33, a song cycle by Hans Pfitzner (54) to words of Keller, is performed for the first time, in Munich.
June 4, 1924:
Concerto for violin and orchestra op.34 by Hans Pfitzner (55) is performed for the first time, in Nuremberg.
December 14, 1924:
Sechs Liebeslieder nach Gedichten von Ricarda Huch op.35 for female voice and piano by Hans Pfitzner (55) are performed for the first time, in Berlin.
November 6, 1925:
String Quartet op.36 by Hans Pfitzner (56) is performed for the first time, in Berlin. See 23 March 1933.
April 19, 1926:
Maria (Mimi) Kwast Pfitzner, wife of Hans Pfitzner (56), dies at the age of 46. “With the death of my wife Mimi, I had the feeling that my true life had ended.”
December 14, 1926:
Lethe op.37 for baritone and orchestra by Hans Pfitzner (57) to words of Meyer is performed for the first time, in Munich.
October 21, 1930:
Das dunkle Reich op.38 for solo voices, chorus, organ, and orchestra by Hans Pfitzner (61) is performed for the first time, in Cologne.
November 12, 1931:
Das Herz, a music drama by Hans Pfitzner (62) to words of Mahner-Mons, is given simultaneous premieres in Berlin and Munich.
February 15, 1932:
Two song cycles for voice and piano by Hans Pfitzner (62) are performed for the first time, in Munich: Sechs Lieder op.40 and Drei Sonette op.41 to words of Berger and Eichendorff.
March 23, 1933:
Symphony op.36a by Hans Pfitzner (63) is performed for the first time, in Munich. It is an orchestration of his String Quartet op.36. See 6 November 1925.
November 16, 1934:
The Reichsmusikkammer equates Paul Hindemith (38) with Richard Strauss (70) and Hans Pfitzner (65) as “the only true composers and articles of export.” Hindemith has threatened to emigrate if attacks on him are not stopped.
January 5, 1935:
Hans Pfitzner (65) meets in Berlin with Hermann Göring, having been ordered there by the Nazi leader. Pfitzner has complained about having been “retired” last year from the Bayerische Akademie der Tonkunst by comparing Göring to the archbishop who kicked Mozart (†143) on the rear. After ranting for a while, Göring reaches a compromise with the composer. Pfitzner gives a formal apology to Göring and Göring promises to produce more of his music at the Staatsoper.
September 27, 1935:
Concerto for cello and orchestra op.42 by Hans Pfitzner (66) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
December 3, 1937:
Duo for violin, cello, and orchestra or piano op.43 by Hans Pfitzner (68) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
May 19, 1939:
Hans Pfitzner’s (70) 31-year-old daughter Agnes takes her own life.
November 17, 1939:
Kleine Sinfonie op.44 by Hans Pfitzner (70) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
December 13, 1939:
Hans Pfitzner (70) marries his second wife, Maria (Mali) Stoll, 24 years his junior, with whom he has been friends since 1928.
October 11, 1940:
Symphony in C op.46 by Hans Pfitzner (71) is performed for the first time, in Frankfurt-am-Main.
April 29, 1941:
Elegie und Reigen op.45 by Hans Pfitzner (71) is performed for the first time, in Salzburg.
April 26, 1942:
Two works for male chorus by Hans Pfitzner (72) are performed for the first time, in Cologne: Wir geh’n dahin op.49/1 to words of Franck, and Das Schifflein op.49/2 to words of Uhland.
April 30, 1942:
Fons salutifer op.48 for chorus, orchestra, and organ by Hans Pfitzner (72) is performed for the first time, in Karlsbad.
June 5, 1942:
String Quartet in c minor op.50 by Hans Pfitzner (73) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
March 10, 1943:
Sechs Studien für Pianoforte op.51 by Hans Pfitzner (73) are performed for the first time, in Vienna.
February 21, 1944:
World War II: Americans land on Parry, Enewetak to strong resistance.
Japanese resistance on the Green Islands, north of Bougainville, comes to an end.
Soviet troops take Soltsy and Kholm, east of Pskov. Hans Pfitzner’s (74) 37-year-old son Peter dies in Russia.
American bombers strike Steyr, Gotha, and Schweinfurt.
March 23, 1944:
Concerto for cello and orchestra op. 52 by Hans Pfitzner (74) is performed for the first time, in Solingen.
December 2, 1944:
Krakauer Begrüssung by Hans Pfitzner (75) is performed for the first time, in Krakow. It is dedicated to the Nazi governor of Poland, Hans Frank.
April 19, 1946:
Sextet for piano, strings, and clarinet op.55 by Hans Pfitzner (76) is performed for the first time, in Berlin.
April 23, 1947:
Fantasie für Orchester op.56 by Hans Pfitzner (77) is performed for the first time, in Nuremberg.
May 22, 1949:
06:40 Traveling to Frankfurt for birthday celebrations, Hans Erich Pfitzner dies in Salzburg of pneumonia, aged 80 years and 17 days. His mortal remains will be laid to rest in Vienna’s Zentralfriedhof.
March 2, 2002:
A marker is placed on the house in Salzburg where Hans Pfitzner (†52) composed Palestrina.