The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Gericke, Wilhelm

GERICKE, gā'rĭk-e, Wilhelm, German orchestra leader: b. Gratz, Austria, 1845. He entered the Vienna Conservatory in 1862 and in 1865 became kapellmeister of the Linz theatre. In 1874 he became record kapellmeister of the Vienna Court Opera under Hans Richter. In 1880 he succeeded Brahms as conductor of the Gesellschaftsconcerte and subquently became conductor also of the Singverein. In 1884-89 as leader of the Boston Symphony Orchestra he made it one of the great orchestras of the world. From 1889 to 1895 he was back at his old post in Vienna but in 1898 returned to Boston and until 1906 was in charge of the orchestra there. He retired in the latter year. He has published a number of works for orchestra, also pianoforte works, and some chamber music.