Gunter Raphael

Full biography Gunter Raphael

Gunter Raphael was a German composer born on November 24, 1903, in Essen, Germany. He studied composition with Paul Hindemith from 1926 to 1929 and subsequently worked as his assistant at the Berlin Musikhochschule.

Raphael is known for his compositions that are heavily influenced by the music of Bach and his musical language is characterized by a polyphonic and contrapuntal style. Some of his notable compositions include his Symphony No. 2 in D minor, and his opera "Der goldene Strahl".

In 1933, Raphael's music was deemed "degenerate" by the Nazi regime and he was forced to leave his position as a teacher at the Conservatory in Munich. Despite the adversity, Raphael continued to compose and even joined the film industry to make his living. His music remained obscure until his death in 1960 when some of his works were finally published and recorded.

Despite his relatively short list of compositions, Raphael's music has been praised for its inventive use of counterpoint and its dynamic approach to orchestration. His compositions continue to inspire and influence modern composers, and his contributions to twentieth-century music have been recognized with numerous honors and accolades.