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Hugo Wolf

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Composer

The Resume

    (March 13, 1860-February 22, 1903)
    Born in Slovenj Gradec, Slovenia
    Wrote 300 lieder (art songs)
    Wrote the opera 'Der Corregidor' (1895)
    Wrote 'Italian Serenade' (1887)

Why he might be annoying:

    He flunked out of several secondary schools due to his lack of interest in any topic other than music.
    He was expelled from the Vienna Conservatory for 'breach of discipline.'
    He had wild mood swings.
    When he worked as a music critic, he was known as 'the Wild Wolf' for his vitriolic attacks.
    He had an affair with his patron's wife.
    He went mad from syphilis.
    He was confined to an asylum at his own insistence after he tried to drown himself (1899).

Why he might not be annoying:

    He spent his career in poverty, largely because his criticism of Brahms as old-fashioned drew retaliation from the musical establishment.
    During bursts of creativity, he would write two or three songs in a day.
    He was considered the most important composer of lieder since Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann.
    His lieder were described as 'emotionally penetrating and musically profound.'
    While in the asylum, he asked 'Is that clock right' about the clock in the dining room. Assured that it was, he replied, 'Then what's it doing in here?'

Credit: C. Fishel


Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 3 Votes: 33.33% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 6 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2020, Out of 5 Votes: 40.0% Annoying
    In 2019, Out of 8 Votes: 62.50% Annoying
    In 2018, Out of 3 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2017, Out of 10 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2016, Out of 6 Votes: 100% Annoying
    In 2015, Out of 38 Votes: 76.32% Annoying
    In 2014, Out of 77 Votes: 58.44% Annoying