Wilhelm Hill

Johann Wilhelm Hill (28 March 1838 – 6 June 1902) was a German pianist and composer.

Wilhelm Hill was born in Fulda. He began studying piano and violin with his father at 6 years old. He devoted himself tirelessly to composing at age 14. From May 1854 Hill lived in Frankfurt am Main, where he was pupil of Heinrich Henkel and Johann Christian Hauff. He gave his first public piano performance in Fulda the following year, and performed in Frankfurt in January 1858.

In the 1880s, Hill taught at Lindner Institute and Julius Stockhausen's Vocal School. His opera Alona was awarded second prize in the competition for the opening of the new Frankfurt Opera House in 1882. He married Maria (Mary) Möhring in 1887 and soon after contracted an eye disease which affected his ability to teach and compose.

He composed two operas, a piano concerto, chamber music, piano compositions, choral and vocal works including numerous songs. Hill gained popularity through the song "Das Herz am Rhein" ("The Heart of the Rhine"; published in 1866), which was sung frequently by his friend, baritone Karl Hill. The song soon appeared in various vocal and instrumental arrangements and became standard repertoire for vocalists and musicians of the time.

Hill died in Homburg, Saarland. He and his wife are buried in Frankfurt Hauptfriedhof.