Manfred Gurlitt

Full biography Manfred Gurlitt

Manfred Gurlitt (1890-1972) was a German composer and conductor. He studied composition under Engelbert Humperdinck and Max Reger. Gurlitt's early works were primarily influenced by the Romantic style, but he later became interested in contemporary music and modernism. Gurlitt was appointed the conductor of the Düsseldorf Opera House in 1922, where he conducted several of his own operas as well as other contemporary works.

During the rise of the Nazi regime, Gurlitt was considered a "non-Aryan" composer due to his Jewish ancestry. However, Gurlitt was granted a special status by the Nazis that allowed him to continue working and composing. Despite this, Gurlitt's music was banned from public performance in 1938, and he was eventually forced to flee to Japan in 1941.

While in Japan, Gurlitt continued to compose music and teach. He was appointed the director of the Tokyo Conservatory of Music in 1946, where he worked until his retirement in 1960. Gurlitt's later works continued to reflect his interest in contemporary music, and he is credited with introducing modernist styles to Japanese audiences.

Today, Gurlitt is remembered primarily for his operas, including "Wozzeck," "Soldaten," and "Nana," as well as his piano music and chamber music compositions. Despite the challenges he faced during his lifetime, his music continues to be performed and recognized for its unique voice and contributions to the musical canon.