Period

:

Baroque

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Concerto

 

Erna Heiller was a renowned Austrian organist and harpsichordist who made significant contributions to the world of classical music during her lifetime. Born on May 5, 1928, in Vienna, Austria, Heiller showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of four. Her parents recognized her talent and encouraged her to pursue a career in music. Heiller received her formal music education at the Vienna Academy of Music, where she studied under the tutelage of renowned musicians such as Karl Schiske, Joseph Marx, and Anton Webern. She graduated with honors in 1951 and went on to pursue further studies in Paris, where she studied with the famous organist Marcel Dupré. Heiller's career as a professional musician began in the early 1950s when she started performing in concerts and recitals across Europe. Her exceptional talent and virtuosity on the organ and harpsichord quickly earned her a reputation as one of the most talented musicians of her generation. One of the highlights of Heiller's career was her performance at the Salzburg Festival in 1956, where she played Bach's Goldberg Variations on the harpsichord. The performance was a huge success and established Heiller as one of the leading harpsichordists of her time. Over the years, Heiller performed in numerous concerts and recitals across Europe and the United States, collaborating with some of the most renowned conductors and orchestras of the time. She was particularly known for her interpretations of the works of Bach, Handel, and Mozart, and her performances were always marked by her exceptional technical skill and musical sensitivity. In addition to her performances, Heiller was also a prolific recording artist, with over 50 recordings to her name. Her recordings of Bach's organ works, in particular, are considered some of the finest ever made. Heiller's contributions to the world of classical music were recognized with numerous awards and honors throughout her career. In 1969, she was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art, and in 1975, she was made an honorary member of the Royal Academy of Music in London. She was also awarded the Grand Decoration of Honor for Services to the Republic of Austria in 1988. Despite her success and acclaim, Heiller remained humble and dedicated to her craft throughout her life. She continued to perform and record until her untimely death in 1979 at the age of 51. Today, Heiller is remembered as one of the greatest organists and harpsichordists of the 20th century, and her recordings and performances continue to inspire and delight audiences around the world. Her legacy serves as a testament to the power of music to transcend time and place and to touch the hearts and souls of people across generations.

More....