2/10/08

Composer of the Day!

Today's Composer of the Day is Viktor Ullmann.

(1898-1944)

Ullmann was an avant-garde composer from what is, now, the Czech Republic. His father converted to Catholicism but he was of Jewish heritage.

The Jewish background combined with his modernist musical bent made him a target for the Nazis.

He was killed in a concentration camp, Auschwitz, a victim of Hitler's regime.

His music is fascinating. His string quartets are probably his best-known works. He also penned two operas. His Hitler-satire opera "Der Kaiser von Atlantis" is now famous. And probably did not help his standing with the Third Reich.

He was associated with major figures such as Schoenberg and Zemlinsky. He was on his way to being a major figure in European music. His life and career were tragically cut short by the horrors of WWII.

There has been a modest revival of interest in Ullmann since about 1990. As a result, there are a number of recordings of his music available. Recently, in Los Angeles, his other opera (more information needed) has been revived.

You should totally listen to his music.

2 comments:

Empiricus said...

Here is a video with Viktor's music.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J53iTqxOtfU

Lyrad Simool said...

I've never heard the "other opera," but "Der Kaiser von Atlantis" is amazing, scary, and sad at the same time; one of the best 20th century operas I know. Everyone should know Ullmann.