David Brodbeck
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- May 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780691198293
- eISBN:
- 9780691198736
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691198293.003.0001
- Subject:
- Music, Opera
This chapter describes the early life of Erich Korngold. As a child, Korngold was a prodigy the likes of which had rarely been encountered before. He was not only an accomplished pianist but also a ...
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This chapter describes the early life of Erich Korngold. As a child, Korngold was a prodigy the likes of which had rarely been encountered before. He was not only an accomplished pianist but also a composer of preternaturally mature and astonishingly modern-sounding music. He was even called “the little Mozart.” In 1907, at the age of ten, Korngold began contrapuntal studies with Robert Fuchs, a venerable teacher at the Vienna Conservatory, and Alexander Zemlinsky (1871–1942). From there, Korngold embarked on his early musical career. The chapter also describes the reviews and criticisms of Korngold's work, as well as the controversies surrounding the boy and his growing fame, during this period.Less
This chapter describes the early life of Erich Korngold. As a child, Korngold was a prodigy the likes of which had rarely been encountered before. He was not only an accomplished pianist but also a composer of preternaturally mature and astonishingly modern-sounding music. He was even called “the little Mozart.” In 1907, at the age of ten, Korngold began contrapuntal studies with Robert Fuchs, a venerable teacher at the Vienna Conservatory, and Alexander Zemlinsky (1871–1942). From there, Korngold embarked on his early musical career. The chapter also describes the reviews and criticisms of Korngold's work, as well as the controversies surrounding the boy and his growing fame, during this period.
Julius Korngold and Bryan Gilliam
Kevin C. Karnes (ed.)
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- May 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780691198293
- eISBN:
- 9780691198736
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691198293.003.0012
- Subject:
- Music, Opera
This chapter presents some correspondence between Erich Korngold and his father, Julius. These letters reflect a tumultuous, even dangerous time for Erich and his extended family. The famed Viennese ...
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This chapter presents some correspondence between Erich Korngold and his father, Julius. These letters reflect a tumultuous, even dangerous time for Erich and his extended family. The famed Viennese opera composer had had a prestigious career on the international musical stage with such works as Der Ring des Polykrates and Violanta (both 1916), which premiered in Munich when he was only nineteen years old. Die tote Stadt was so highly anticipated that it received an unusual double premiere in Hamburg and Cologne on December 4, 1920; the Vienna premiere followed shortly thereafter, with Richard Strauss congratulating the composer backstage after each act. And yet, as the chapter shows, Adolf Hitler cast a large shadow over Austria in the early 1930s, and Julius repeatedly urged his son to remain in the United States.Less
This chapter presents some correspondence between Erich Korngold and his father, Julius. These letters reflect a tumultuous, even dangerous time for Erich and his extended family. The famed Viennese opera composer had had a prestigious career on the international musical stage with such works as Der Ring des Polykrates and Violanta (both 1916), which premiered in Munich when he was only nineteen years old. Die tote Stadt was so highly anticipated that it received an unusual double premiere in Hamburg and Cologne on December 4, 1920; the Vienna premiere followed shortly thereafter, with Richard Strauss congratulating the composer backstage after each act. And yet, as the chapter shows, Adolf Hitler cast a large shadow over Austria in the early 1930s, and Julius repeatedly urged his son to remain in the United States.
Daniel Goldmark and Kevin C. Karnes (eds)
- Published in print:
- 2019
- Published Online:
- May 2020
- ISBN:
- 9780691198293
- eISBN:
- 9780691198736
- Item type:
- book
- Publisher:
- Princeton University Press
- DOI:
- 10.23943/princeton/9780691198293.001.0001
- Subject:
- Music, Opera
Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897–1957) was the last compositional prodigy to emerge from the Austro-German tradition of Mozart and Mendelssohn. He was lauded in his youth by everyone from Mahler to ...
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Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897–1957) was the last compositional prodigy to emerge from the Austro-German tradition of Mozart and Mendelssohn. He was lauded in his youth by everyone from Mahler to Puccini and his auspicious career in the early 1900s spanned chamber music, opera, and musical theater. Today, he is best known for his Hollywood film scores, composed between 1935 and 1947. From his prewar operas in Vienna to his pathbreaking contributions to American film, this book provides a substantial reassessment of Korngold's life and accomplishments. Korngold struggled to reconcile the musical language of his Viennese upbringing with American popular song and cinema, and was forced to adapt to a new life after wartime emigration to Hollywood. The book examines Korngold's operas and film scores, the critical reception of his music, and his place in the milieus of both the Old and New Worlds. It also features numerous historical documents—many previously unpublished and in first-ever English translations—including essays by the composer as well as memoirs by his wife, Luzi Korngold, and his father, the renowned music critic Julius Korngold.Less
Erich Wolfgang Korngold (1897–1957) was the last compositional prodigy to emerge from the Austro-German tradition of Mozart and Mendelssohn. He was lauded in his youth by everyone from Mahler to Puccini and his auspicious career in the early 1900s spanned chamber music, opera, and musical theater. Today, he is best known for his Hollywood film scores, composed between 1935 and 1947. From his prewar operas in Vienna to his pathbreaking contributions to American film, this book provides a substantial reassessment of Korngold's life and accomplishments. Korngold struggled to reconcile the musical language of his Viennese upbringing with American popular song and cinema, and was forced to adapt to a new life after wartime emigration to Hollywood. The book examines Korngold's operas and film scores, the critical reception of his music, and his place in the milieus of both the Old and New Worlds. It also features numerous historical documents—many previously unpublished and in first-ever English translations—including essays by the composer as well as memoirs by his wife, Luzi Korngold, and his father, the renowned music critic Julius Korngold.
Bryan R. Simms
- Published in print:
- 2014
- Published Online:
- May 2015
- ISBN:
- 9780199764068
- eISBN:
- 9780190268213
- Item type:
- chapter
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
- DOI:
- 10.1093/acprof:osobl/9780199764068.003.0007
- Subject:
- Music, History, Western
This chapter presents a translation of Berg's article attacking selected musical journalists. His targets were Julius Korngold (1860–1945), the principal music critic for the Neue fr eie Presse, ...
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This chapter presents a translation of Berg's article attacking selected musical journalists. His targets were Julius Korngold (1860–1945), the principal music critic for the Neue fr eie Presse, Vienna's largest paper; and Elsa Bienenfeld, the leading music critic for the Neues Wiener Journal, a respected tabloid founded in Vienna in 1893. In the article, Berg takes up what he sees as the shortcomings and abuses in newspaper criticism of the day, and he pulls no punches in attacking his opponents ad hominem. He quotes extensively from his sources, refuting their every thought from multiple angles, and he uses witty puns available in the German language to satirize his targets. His method in this article is to point out the writers' factual inaccuracies and sloppy grammar: if these writers make repeated gaffes in such basic mechanics, how could their fair-mindedness or judgments about new music be trusted?Less
This chapter presents a translation of Berg's article attacking selected musical journalists. His targets were Julius Korngold (1860–1945), the principal music critic for the Neue fr eie Presse, Vienna's largest paper; and Elsa Bienenfeld, the leading music critic for the Neues Wiener Journal, a respected tabloid founded in Vienna in 1893. In the article, Berg takes up what he sees as the shortcomings and abuses in newspaper criticism of the day, and he pulls no punches in attacking his opponents ad hominem. He quotes extensively from his sources, refuting their every thought from multiple angles, and he uses witty puns available in the German language to satirize his targets. His method in this article is to point out the writers' factual inaccuracies and sloppy grammar: if these writers make repeated gaffes in such basic mechanics, how could their fair-mindedness or judgments about new music be trusted?
