Review article
SYPHILITIC PROGRESSIVE PARALYSIS IN THE PATHOGRAPHY OF TWO COMPOSERS: HUGO WOLF AND PHYSICIAN AND COMPOSER JOSIP IPAVEC
Pavle Kornhauser
Abstract
This overview is devoted to two composers born in the Austro-Hungarian monarchy
who beside their Slovene origin, share the tragic fate caused by syphilis-related progressive
paralysis. The music opus of Hugo Wolf (Slovenj Gradec, 1860 – Vienna, 1903)
consists of about 300 solo songs on the verses of the most famous contemporary poets,
numerous piano works, the symphonic poem “Penthesilea”, and the opera “Der
Corregidor”. Dr. Josip Ipavec ([entjur near Celje, 1873-1921), beside studying medicine,
also worked on improving his theoretical knowledge in the field of music. Later
on, as a qualified physician, he also conducted choral concerts and string orchestras.
Ipavec is also the author of numerous successful solo- and choir songs, piano compositions,
and the first Slovene ballet, the “Pierrot” (1904). His most famous work is the
opera (operetta) “The Frivolous Princess” (1911). Both composers died deranged,
alone, neglected, “away from the eye”. Wolf ended in a straitjacket at a psychiatric
hospital, Ipavec froze to death in a barn not far from his home, both at an age when
their creativity should have been at its peak.
Keywords
History of music in the 19th and 20th century; composers; pathography; syphilitic progressive paralysis
Hrčak ID:
101654
URI
Publication date:
15.6.2005.
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