Franz Schmidt

Full biography Franz Schmidt

Franz Schmidt (1874-1939) was an Austro-Hungarian composer, cellist, and pianist. He was born on December 22, 1874, in Pressburg, Austria-Hungary (now Bratislava) and died on February 11, 1939, in Vienna, Austria.

Schmidt started his musical career as a cellist in the Vienna Court Opera orchestra. Later, he became a professor of piano and chamber music at the Vienna Academy of Music. In addition to his teaching, he pursued a career as a composer and wrote numerous works, including chamber music, operas, and symphonies.

Schmidt's music is characterized by its post-Romantic style, which incorporates elements of late Romanticism and early modernism. His works are known for their lyricism and emotional intensity, which reflect his personal and artistic struggles.

During the Nazi period in Austria, Schmidt gave the Nazi salute at the premiere of his greatest work, Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln (The Book with Seven Seals) in 1938, which marred his reputation as a composer. However, his music continued to be performed after his death, and he is now recognized as a significant figure in 20th-century music.

Some of Schmidt's notable works include the Symphony No. 4 (1933), Piano Quintet in G major (1926), String Quartet No. 1 in G major (1925), and the opera Notre Dame (1914). He was also commissioned by the Nazis to write a German Resurrection cantata in favor of two smaller religions merging with the Lutheran Church , which he completed under duress and later disavowed.

Overall, Franz Schmidt was an important composer of the early 20th century, known for his emotional and lyrical music. Despite his personal struggles and controversial actions in the Nazi period, his works continue to be performed and appreciated today.