Else Schmitz-Gohr

Else Schmitz-Gohr (12 August 1901 – 13 December 1987) was a German composer, pianist, and teacher who is best remembered for her Elegy for the Left Hand for piano, her successful students, and her recordings of Max Reger's works for piano.

Schmitz-Gohr was born in Cologne. She studied at the Cologne Conservatory and the Stern Conservatory in Berlin. Her teachers included Franz Bolsche, Wilhelm Klatte, Dr. Otto Klauwell, James Kwast, and Fritz Hans Rehbold. She socialized with sculptor Lili Graf. In 1918, she debuted as a pianist under conductor Hermann Abendroth, and in 1922 won the Gustav Hollaender medal. Bernhard Klee, Georg Kroll, Irene Vogel Osiander, Erika Rademacher, Eckart Sellheim, and Joachim Volkmann.

Nareh Arghamanyan recorded works by Schmitz-Gohr on her album Femmes de Légende Hänssler HC25026 (2025).

Compositions Schmitz-Gohr's compositions were published by Schott Music. They included:

Chamber Allegro in G minor (violin and piano) Allegro Moderato in E minor (piano trio) Andante in G minor (piano trio) Kleine Flöten-Duette (two flutes)

Orchestra Overture in G minor

Piano Elegy for the Left Hand Fantasie in F major Suite