Wilhelm Rauch

Wilhelm Rauch (fl. 18841924) was an Austrian pianist, music teacher, and editor, primarily known for his pedagogical work with Universal Edition where he is identified as one of their primary editors for instructional piano music.

He was professor of piano at the Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde, the organisation who later established the Conservatorium Wien (Vienna Conservatory). More specifically, Rauch was the professor of the preparatory piano course (Vorbildungsschule Klavier), which the young Austrian composer, Alexander von Zemlinsky, joined as a student from 1884. As a teacher, he is known to have taught at least five notable students, Theodor Fuchs, Richard Stöhr, Manolis Kalomiris, Camilla Frydan and Alexander von Zemlinsky.

Rauch was a respected figure among his colleagues. Notably, the composer Franz Schreker dedicated his Suite nach Oskar Wildes Novelle "Der Geburtstag der Infantin" (Piano reduction, 1924) to him with the inscription: "Herrn Wilhelm Rauch Professor am Wiener Conservatorium gewidmet" (Dedicated to Mr. Wilhelm Rauch, Professor at the Vienna Conservatory). Sonatinen-Album, Vol. II (UE 336) – edited by Rauch. Czerny: Schule des Virtuosen für Clavier [School of the Virtuoso for Piano]; Op.365. (Cranz Edition 77) – edited by Rauch. Czerny: Vierzig tägl Studien für Clavier [Forty Daily Studies for Piano]; Op. 337. (Cranz Edition 76) – edited by Rauch. Czerny: Die Kunst der Fingerfertigkeit [The Art of Finger Dexterity]; Op. 740 – edited by Rauch. Diabelli: 2 Sonatinas for Piano 4-hands Op.24; (Universal Edition, 1901) – edited by Rauch. Diabelli: 3 Sonatinas for Piano 4-hands Op.152; (Universal Edition, 1901) – edited by Rauch. Diabelli: 7 Sonatinen für Piano Solo Op.168; Vienna: (Universal Edition, 1901) – edited by Rauch. Dussek: Piano Sonata No.15, Op.39 No.2; (Leipzig: August Cranz) – edited by Rauch. Dussek: Piano Sonata No.16, Op.39 No.3; (Leipzig: August Cranz) – edited by Rauch. Haydn: Sonata No. 31 Vol. IV (Universal Edition, 1901) – edited by Rauch. Haydn: Complete Haydn Piano Sonatas Vol. I-IV (Universal Edition, 1901) – edited by Rauch. Mozart: Fantasia e Fuga, KV 394, No. III in C major. (Leipzig: August Cranz) – revised and fingered by Rauch. Hans Schmitt (1835–1907): Lehrplan für die ersten Jahre des Clavierunterrichtes [Curriculum for the first years of piano instruction] – revised by Prof. Wilhelm Rauch.