Alfred Stelzner

Stelzner was born in the Free City of Hamburg, and educated in music, physics and mathematics.

His instruments received praise and endorsements from major figures of the day, including impresario Alfred Schulz-Curtius,[1] and the German composer Felix Draeseke composed his string quintet in A major, named the Stelzner Quintett, specifically for Stelzner instruments.

He vigorously promoted his instruments through advertising and obtained endorsements from many famous musicians of the day, including Joseph Joachim, Eugène Ysaÿe, David Popper, and August Wilhelmj.

His own works included the operas Rübezahl (1902) and Swatowits Ende (1903), as well as the never performed Kinder des Todes and Cäcilie.

Faced with overwhelming financial difficulties, Stelzner committed suicide at his home in Dresden in 1906.