MÖllendorff, Willi von

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MÖllendorff, Willi von

MÖllendorff, Willi von, German pianist and composer; b. Berlin, Feb. 28, 1872; d. Stettin, April 27, 1934. He studied with Bargiel at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik (1891–93), and was subsequently active as a pianist and theater conductor in Giessen, Berlin, and Stettin. He was known especially for his experimentation with quarter-tones, for the exposition of which he invented a bichromatic harmonium with a new keyboard. For this instrument he composed an Adagio religioso (with Cello Solo) as well as 5 kleine Stücke. In addition, he wrote operas, a ballet, 2 syms., choral works, etc.

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis Mclntire