Role

:

Composer Conductor

Birth

:

1879

Death

:

1962

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Concerto

 

 

Keyboard

 

 

Vocal

 

Volkmar Andreae was a Swiss composer and conductor who was born on June 3, 1879, in Bern, Switzerland. He was the son of a music teacher and grew up in a musical family. His father, Emil Andreae, was a well-known conductor and composer in Switzerland, and his mother, Marie, was a pianist. Volkmar Andreae showed an early interest in music and began studying the piano and violin at a young age. Andreae studied music at the Bern Conservatory and later at the Leipzig Conservatory, where he studied composition with Max Reger. He also studied conducting with Arthur Nikisch and Felix Weingartner. After completing his studies, Andreae worked as a conductor in various cities in Germany and Switzerland. In 1906, Andreae was appointed conductor of the Tonhalle Orchestra in Zurich, a position he held for 47 years. During his tenure, he transformed the orchestra into one of the finest in Europe. He also conducted the Zurich Opera and was a professor of conducting at the Zurich Conservatory. As a composer, Andreae was influenced by the music of Brahms, Wagner, and Reger. His compositions include orchestral works, chamber music, and songs. His most famous work is his Symphony No. 2, which was premiered in 1919 and is considered one of the finest Swiss symphonies of the 20th century. Other notable works include his Piano Concerto, String Quartet No. 1, and his opera, Der Tod des Kleinbürgers. Andreae was also a champion of contemporary music and conducted premieres of works by composers such as Stravinsky, Bartók, and Schoenberg. He was a close friend of Reger and conducted the premieres of many of his works. During World War II, Andreae was a vocal opponent of the Nazi regime and refused to conduct in Germany. He also helped Jewish musicians escape from Germany and provided financial support to those who had fled. Andreae retired from conducting in 1953 but continued to compose until his death in 1962. He was a respected figure in the Swiss music scene and was awarded numerous honors for his contributions to music. In conclusion, Volkmar Andreae was a Swiss composer and conductor who made significant contributions to the music world. He was a talented composer and conductor who transformed the Tonhalle Orchestra into one of the finest in Europe. His compositions, which were influenced by Brahms, Wagner, and Reger, include orchestral works, chamber music, and songs. Andreae was also a champion of contemporary music and conducted premieres of works by composers such as Stravinsky, Bartók, and Schoenberg. He was a vocal opponent of the Nazi regime during World War II and helped Jewish musicians escape from Germany. Andreae was a respected figure in the Swiss music scene and was awarded numerous honors for his contributions to music.

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