Musical Mastery: 125th Birthday of Hans Pfitzner

This commemorative issue celebrates the 125th anniversary of the birth of German composer, conductor, and pianist Hans Pfitzner (1869–1949). The 100 Pfennig stamp features a portrait of the composer based on an 1899 pencil drawing by Emil Orlik, set against a background of musical notation from one of his cycles of romantic songs.

Released by the Deutsche Bundespost on May 5, 1994, the issue was designed by Peter Nitzsche. The historical documentation provided in the official Ersttagsblatt (ETB 16/1994) details Pfitzner's extensive career:

Musical Background: Born in Moscow as the son of an orchestral musician, he studied in Frankfurt and eventually held teaching and leadership positions in Berlin, Strasbourg, and Munich.

Major Works: His most famous work is the opera "Palestrina," which premiered in 1917 and remains his most renowned contribution to the musical world.

Legacy: A defender of romantic musical traditions against the rise of atonality, Pfitzner received numerous honors during his life, including the Order Pour le Mérite in 1925.

Final Years: After the destruction of his Munich home in 1943, he lived in various locations before passing away in Salzburg in 1949.