Role

:

Composer Conductor

Country

:

Austria

Birth

:

November 23, 1903 in Maribor, Slovenia

Death

:

December 13, 1984

Genre

:

Keyboard

 

 

Orchestral

 

Max Schönherr was a renowned Austrian conductor, composer, and music educator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on September 17, 1903, in Vienna, Austria, to a family of musicians. His father, Franz Schönherr, was a well-known composer and conductor, and his mother, Marie Schönherr, was a pianist. Max Schönherr showed an early interest in music and began his formal training at the Vienna Music Academy at the age of 14. He studied composition with Joseph Marx and conducting with Felix Weingartner. He also received private lessons in piano and violin. After completing his studies, Schönherr began his career as a conductor, working with various orchestras in Austria and Germany. In 1933, he became the conductor of the Vienna Volksoper, a position he held until 1938. During this time, he also worked as a conductor for the Vienna State Opera and the Salzburg Festival. In 1938, Schönherr emigrated to the United States to escape the Nazi regime. He settled in New York City and began working as a conductor for the NBC Symphony Orchestra. He also conducted for the New York Philharmonic and the Metropolitan Opera. In 1947, Schönherr returned to Austria and became the conductor of the Vienna Symphony Orchestra. He held this position until 1953, during which time he made several recordings with the orchestra. He also conducted for the Vienna State Opera and the Salzburg Festival. In 1953, Schönherr was appointed the conductor of the Vienna Boys' Choir, a position he held until 1961. During his tenure, he modernized the choir's repertoire and expanded its international tours. He also made several recordings with the choir, including a highly acclaimed recording of Mozart's Requiem. In addition to his work as a conductor, Schönherr was also a prolific composer. He wrote several operas, ballets, and orchestral works, many of which were performed by the Vienna Symphony Orchestra and the Vienna State Opera. Schönherr was also a dedicated music educator. He taught conducting at the Vienna Music Academy and the Salzburg Mozarteum. He also founded the Max Schönherr Choral Academy, which provided training for young conductors and choral singers. Throughout his career, Schönherr received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to classical music. In 1953, he was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art. He was also awarded the Grand Decoration of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria in 1961. In 1973, he was awarded the Golden Medal of the City of Vienna. Max Schönherr died on January 13, 1984, in Vienna, Austria, at the age of 80. He left behind a legacy of excellence in classical music, both as a conductor and a composer. His contributions to the Vienna Boys' Choir and the Max Schönherr Choral Academy continue to inspire young musicians today.

More....