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Composer

Franz Schmidt

1874 — 1939

About

Concerts and Operas

María Dueñas and Manfred Honeck in Beethoven and Schmidt
Musikverein, Vienna
Concert118 Min
Paavo Järvi conducts Franz Schmidt: Symphony No. 4
Frankfurt Radio Symphony
Concert56 Min

Albums

Passionate
Various Artists
Karajan A-Z: Saint-Saëns - Schoenberg
Herbert von Karajan
Franz Schmidt: Complete Symphonies
Frankfurt Radio Symphony, Paavo Järvi
The Christmas Album
Berliner Philharmoniker

About

Franz Schmidt

Franz Schmidt
Franz Schmidt was one of the last major composers in the Austro-Hungarian romantic tradition. Born in Bratislava (known at the time as Pressburg), he trained as a virtuoso organist, pianist and composer (his teachers briefly included Anton Bruckner) before joining the Vienna Court Opera as a cellist. Here, he came into contact with Mahler and Schoenberg (with whom he played chamber music), although his own compositions followed a very different stylistic path. His first two symphonies (1902 and 1913) brought him recognition as a composer, although his opera Notre Dame (premiered in Vienna in 1914) made an even wider impact. After World War I he focused on a career as a teacher at Vienna Conservatory, writing chamber music and a Schubert-inspired Third Symphony (1928), as well as numerous works for the one-handed pianist Paul Wittgenstein. Tragedy blighted his personal life and the death of his daughter, as well as the darkening political climate, gave a powerful emotional force to his elegiac Fourth Symphony (1934), which he described as "a requiem for my daughter", and the massive, apocalyptic oratorio The Book With Seven Seals (1938). Posthumously regarded as a composer of interest primarily to Austrian audiences, high-profile champions (including , Lorin Maazel, Paavo Järvi, Semyon Bychkov and Kirill Petrenko) have done much to establish his music in the international repertoire.

Franz Schmidt: A Composer of the Austro-Hungarian Tradition

Franz Schmidt was a renowned Austrian composer, cellist, and pianist, born on December 22, 1874, in Preßburg (now Bratislava, Slovakia) to a family of mixed German and Hungarian origin. His primary training was in piano and cello, though he also had organ lessons in Pressburg. He was a composition pupil of Anton Bruckner, and later joined the Vienna Court Opera as a cellist. This position allowed him to interact with influential figures like Mahler and Schoenberg, though his compositional style diverged from theirs.

Schmidt's Musical Career and Notable Works

Schmidt's musical career was marked by significant works in large forms, including four symphonies, two operas, and several chamber pieces. His opera Notre Dame, composed between 1904-1906 and premiered in Vienna in 1914, had a profound impact. His symphonies, especially the Fourth Symphony (1934), gained recognition for their emotional depth. The Fourth Symphony is notable as Schmidt described it as "a requiem for my daughter," reflecting the personal tragedy he faced. Additionally, his oratorio The Book With Seven Seals (1938) is considered a crowning achievement, showcasing his ability to craft apocalyptic and powerful music.

After World War I, Schmidt focused on teaching at the Vienna Conservatory, where he composed chamber music and works for the one-handed pianist Paul Wittgenstein. His compositions, though initially appreciated mainly by Austrian audiences, have been brought to the international stage by conductors like Lorin Maazel, Paavo Järvi, Semyon Bychkov, and Kirill Petrenko.

Schmidt's Influence and Legacy

Schmidt's distinct place in the Austro-Hungarian romantic tradition and his significant contributions to the world of music have been recognized by audiences and critics alike. His compositions, such as "Franz Schmidt compositions", "Austro-Hungarian romantic tradition", "Notre Dame Opera by Franz Schmidt", have become relevant keywords that improve the visibility of his works in search engine results.