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Second known child of Georg Philip and Elizabeth Lane, born in Lymington, died at 24 Portland Place, Southampton.

Married Charlotte Amelia Lyte 20.06.1809 - 03 June 1863 - Half sister to The Rev. Henry Francis Lyte on 20 June 1835, at Christchurch.

There were two children
1 - George Philip 24 April 1836 - ? 1875 (no death register found)

2 - Frederick Charles 30 October 1837 - 1838 1st qtr. (no trace of the registry birth)

Professor of Music; Violinist, pianist, composer of ballads and ballroom music. Conducted the famous violinist, Pagannini at a Southampton Concert on 30 August 1832.

This information is recorded in The Dictionary of National Biography.

Organist at St. Thomas Church, Lymington; St Michael's Church, Basingstoke in 1830; St Lawrence with St. John's Church, Southampton and All Saints Church, Southampton 1845 - 1854

Past Provincial Grand Organist of Hampshire

Composed music for six Songs of the Mid-Watch written by Captain Willis Johnson RN.

In 1849 Philip wrote the words and music for 'King Alfred in the Danish Camp' dedicated to John Parry Junior and Published by C. Jefferies 21 Soho Square, London. (Only one copy of this survives in the Northampton Museum)

Elected member of the Contrapunctists Society, having written the required Fugue in four parts - the highest attainment of theorists.

Philip gave numerous concerts throughout Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight Region along with his Father and brothers, Charles, William and Robert.

He suffered with Bronchitis

Philip wrote a book called "Tales of the New Forest". The book was written and printed in 1850 and only one or two elderly copies remain. Bill Klitz wanted to reprint the book and collected some items towards this, but no progress was made at that time. Bob wished to try again for a reprint and with use of Ann's computer new copies are now available. Some punctuation has been altered to make it easier to read but Bob selected appropriate pictures to enhance the plain text. You can read some samples from the original book.

Copies of the book can be obtained from the Lymington Museum. Telephone: 01590 676969 - EMAIL or by sending a request email from the links at the top of most pages

You can now read the whole book Tales of The New Forest in pdf format

The Hampshire Telegraph Saturday October 15th 1831

Our anticipations were more than realised on Thursday last at the Musical Festival at Lymington, on the occasion of opening the new organ in the church, built by Mr. Walker of London.
The performance commenced with the opening of the organ by Mr. P. Klitz, which gave us an opportunity of appreciating the very great merits of the instrument; and was followed by a selection from The Messiah, The Creation etc.
The solo performers, Miss George, Mr. A. Loder, Mr. C. Klitz and Mr C. H. Purday, acquitted themselves much to the satisfaction of a very numerous and respectable company. The choruses were most ably performed, and did great credit to the gentlemen amateurs, mostly of the town, as well as to their leader, Mr. P. Klitz, whose taste, judgement and execution were the theme of universal praise amongst the best judges present.

The Hampshire Times 21 January 1839

"The lovers of music were, last evening, Friday 25 January, gratified with a treat of no ordinary character - the Hungarian Singers' Concert at the Royal Victoria Assembly Rooms.
The pieces selected were principally national and performed in a manner the most astonishing. Imitations of various instruments were given with wonderful effect; indeed the illusion was so perfect that the spectator might readily imagine he was listening to a full instrumental band, instead of human voices; it is quite impossible to describe it.
The Hungarians must be heard to be only appreciated; and it is understood they are about to give concerts at Portsmouth; we recommend everyone to hear them. Mr P. Klitz presided at the piano with his usual ability.

Hampshire Telegraph 24 February 1840

An account of the burial of Sir Harry Burrard Neale, who was for many years M.P. for Lymington.
"At Lymington church Mr P. Klitz presided at the organ".

Gas lamps arrived along the streets of Lymington in 1832. A handsome standard which now stands along the riverfront near the Royal Lymington Yacht Club, denotes that illuminating event.
Inscriptions around the base recall: "Erected by subscription as a tribute of respect and gratitude to Admiral Sir Harry Neale for his munificent gift of the iron columns for the public lamps in this town. 1832."

We have in our possession a list of the subscribers to this memorial and Charles Klitz is among the many names of people mentioned. His donation was £1.00.

A short newspaper item which has not been named or dated reads as follows:

Mr G. C. Burry of Addiscombe, writes to corroborate the letter in our last issue with reference to Mr Stewart G. Klitz's ancestry. "When a boy organist at Holy Rood Church, Southampton, in the fifties (Crimean War period), I was acquainted with Mr Philip Klitz, who was organist of the important church of All Saints in that town. Mr Klitz was the leading professor at that time, and on his decease his son, Mr George Klitz, succeeded him at All Saints. The Klitz family had been known for very many years as residents in the locality, and I have since ascertained that our Mr Stewart G. Klitz's family were related to the Southampton one."

The following is a copy of a letter written by Philip Klitz applying for the position of the Musical Professorship at the College of Edinburgh

Southampton
March 17th 1845

Sir

    Presuming on the liberality which is ever the characteristic of real talent, I take the liberty to address you on the subject of the Musical Professorship at the College of Edinburgh now vacant. And in the hope that my application be deemed worthy of your attention, I beg respectfully to state, that if general qualifications are a criterion of the capability of filling the Chair with credit, I offer myself a candidate on the following grounds: Having received a musical education under my father, who was a German Professor of character, and whose six sons are now practising the musical art with respectability, all born and settled in England.

In proof of my practical capabilities, beg to state that I have been organist of three different churches, all of which I have resigned to younger brothers, and now hold the organ at St Lawrence's Church in this town. As a proof of the knowledge of the theory, I was unanimously elected a member of the Contrapunctists Society, having written the required exercise, viz - a Fugue in four parts - one of the highest attainments of theorists. I likewise add a catalogue of printed works with opinions of the press and a list of families which I have had the honour to attend.

Nicolo Paganini
When Paganini visited this locality I was engaged by him to lead his concert here at Portsmouth, Chichester, Winchester, Isle of Wight etc on the violin. The year after I made the same tour playing duetts on the Piano-forte with Henri Herz, the greatest Pianist in Europe at the time.
I have already written upwards of thirty lectures on music and the literature of the art, which I have delivered at various Literary and Scientific Institutions with great success; and shall be happy to submit them for your approval. With these qualifications may I venture to add, even without fear of being thought egotistic, that I have a private moral character which is dearer to me than my professional reputation - and connections that move in a highly respectable circle of society.
Beyond this, I have no further claim to your notice; and should you determine on a test of skill, shall be happy to submit to it - or would you kindly honor me by informing me what more would be required, I have no doubt I can procure interest and testimonials of a high character, should it be requisite.

My age is 40 years, with good health to carry out any exertion required by the office, under any circumstances the honor of a line from you will be esteemed a particular favour,

       By your humble and obedient servant,

           Philip Klitz

The Hampshire Independent 1st January 1853

Polytechnique Institution - The Victoria rooms were crowded on Tuesday evening, with a most respectable audience of the first concert for the present season in connection with the above Institution. The orchestra and chorus, numbering some 50 or 60 male and female performers, was highly effective, under the skilful direction and leadership of Mr. P. Klitz...........

Mr P. Klitz played a fantasia upon the pianoforte very well, accompanied by the band, in which the merits of the composition and the performance reflected the highest credit upon him, and fully sustained his well-founded reputation……...

Master G. P. Klitz gave us one of his delightful concertina solos, which was performed with great taste and expression, and was rewarded by the hearty applause of the audience.

The Hampshire Advertiser 14 January 1854

DEATH OF MR. PHILIP KLITZ, PROFESSOR OF MUSIC.
It is with a very deep feeling of sorrow and regret, in which a large portion of the public of Southampton will participate, together with large numbers in the principal towns of the southern counties, that we record the decease of Mr. Philip Klitz, professor of music, who died after a brief illness, of bronchitis, yesterday morning, at the age of 49.

He was born in Lymington, where his father established his reputation as a musician of considerable eminence and brought up six sons to his profession. Philip, the eldest, early became a popular composer of ball-room music of the highest class, and his compositions became fashionable for their respective periods. He came to reside in Southampton about twenty-five years ago and showed the versatility of his talents by composing, besides much classical music, a variety of ballads, of which the words were frequently his own. He wrote the music for one series of navel songs called "The Songs of the Mid-Watch", written by Captain Willis Johnson RN. The Admiralty did him the honour of ordering them to be added to Dibdin's in a special edition published for the navy. Details about Dibdin here
Besides his musical works, he was the author of "Tales of The New Forest", which he was well qualified to write, from his intimate acquaintance with the scenery of the Forest and the manners of it's people.

He was a great advocate of the Hullah System and introduced it in Southampton and other places, and indeed sought to cultivate a musical taste among the young generally.
His lectures on music were exceedingly attractive at all the Literary Institutions of these counties. He was a most brilliant performer on the pianoforte and violin, and conducted Paganini's concerts when very young.
He has for many years held the office of organist of All Saints' Church, and there, as well as previously at other churches, raised and taught a choir, and perfected vocal service.

His wife and only son have to mourn the loss of an affectionate husband and father - the profession of one of its most meritorious and accomplished members, and the Masonic brethren, a brother whom they esteemed. He always gave a willing assistance to the craft and distinguished himself amongst them, and was a Past Provincial Grand Organist of Hampshire. One of his Masonic compositions, "Faith, Hope and Charity" is possessed by every Lodge in the Province and is introduced at most of their festive entertainments.

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