Franz Schreker

Full biography Franz Schreker

Franz Schreker (23 March 1878 – 21 March 1934) was an Austrian composer, conductor, and teacher who played a significant role in the evolution of early 20th-century music. He wrote his own libretti for all of his mature operas and his breakthrough opera , "Das Spielwerk und die Prinzessin," heralded a decade of great success for the composer. Schreker's music was considered an important trend in German music , and he belonged to that group of composers whose careers were eclipsed by the rise of the Nazi regime.

Schreker was trained as a violinist and composer at the Vienna Conservatory, where he eventually became a professor of harmony and composition. His music is characterized by its lush harmonies, intricate orchestration, and exploration of exotic themes, often incorporating elements of atonality and other modernist trends.

Schreker's works include a variety of genres including operas, ballets, and orchestral and chamber music. Some of his most famous works include "Der Ferne Klang," "Die Gezeichneten," and "Irrelohe." Schreker's music was highly regarded during his lifetime and had a significant influence on later composers, although his reputation was later overshadowed by the rise of the Nazis and the dominance of the atonal school of composers led by Arnold Schoenberg.

Today, Schreker's life and work are being rediscovered and celebrated by a new generation of musicians and enthusiasts. His music can be found on streaming platforms for those interested in exploring the works of this influential composer.