WILLERT-ORFF, Gertrud

Gertrud Willet-Orff (1914-2000), was was one of the first German music therapists. She developed Orff Music Therapy and, from 1939 to 1953, was the second wife and collaborator of the composer Carl Orff.

Her first independent works were published from 1954 to 1959 under the name Gertrud Willert-Orff, in four volumes entitled Small Piano Pieces and listing her as the composer. Her main publications as a music therapy specialist are The Orff Music Therapy. Actively Promoting Child Development (1974) and Key Concepts of the Orff Music Therapy (1984). Both were published under the name Gertrud Orff and have appeared in English, French, Spanish and Japanese.