Wilhelm Fitzenhagen

Wilhelm Fitzenhagen was a German cellist and composer who became an important figure in the musical life of Moscow. After establishing himself as a soloist with the Dresden Hofkapelle in 1868, he was appointed professor of cello at the Moscow Conservatory where he remained until his death. He performed the music of Tchaikovsky extensively, including at the premieres of all three of the composer's numbered string quartets and his Piano Trio. As a thanks, Tchaikovsky dedicated his Variations on a Rococo Theme for cello and orchestra to Fitzenhagen. His career combined performance, composition and teaching, by which he helped train a new generation of cellists in Russia.