Herman Rietzel

Who was Herman Rietzel?

Herman Rietzel was an American pianist, born in New York City, who died by drowning at age 19 on May 26, 1882. His father, Charles Rietzel, was Vice-President and first flute of the New York Philharmonic Society. 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, enjoying particular success in one of the piano concerti of Hermann Goetz during the 1881-1882 season. 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.

Following the 1881-1882 Philharmonic season, Rietzel signed with a touring company headed by Clara Louise Kellogg.