Walter Bricht

Full biography Walter Bricht

Walter Bricht was an Austrian-American composer, pianist, and teacher. He was born on December 17, 1904, in Vienna, Austria. Bricht studied at the Vienna Academy for Music and later graduated in 1928 with degrees in composition, conducting, and piano. His teacher at the academy was one of the most prominent composers of his era in Austria, Franz Schmidt.

Bricht composed both orchestral and chamber music, including several string quartets, as well as piano pieces, songs, and choral works. His compositions were known for their lyricism and expressive power, as well as their use of neo-classical forms and harmony.

In 1938, Bricht was forced to flee Austria due to the Nazi occupation, eventually settling in the United States. Bricht continued to compose and perform in the US, and his works were frequently performed by American orchestras and chamber groups.

Bricht's music was largely forgotten after his death in 1970, but in recent years, there has been renewed interest in his work. In 2018, his orchestral work "Scattered Leaves" was performed in Vienna, marking the first time his music had been heard in his home country in decades. Additionally, in 2022, publishing house G. Schirmer announced plans to release hundreds of works lost in the Holocaust, including pieces by Bricht.

Overall, Walter Bricht was a talented composer who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His music is notable for its expressive power and use of neo-classical forms. Despite being forced to flee his home country, Bricht continued to compose and perform, and his legacy has experienced a resurgence in recent years.