Role

:

Composer  

Country

:

Austria

Birth

:

July 7, 1906 in Vienna, Austria

Death

:

January 10, 1985 in Vienna, Austria

Genre

:

Film

 

Anton Karas was an Austrian musician and composer who is best known for his iconic zither music in the 1949 film "The Third Man". Born on July 7, 1906, in Vienna, Austria, Karas grew up in a family of musicians. His father was a zither player, and his mother was a singer. Karas began playing the zither at a young age and quickly became proficient in the instrument. Karas' early career was spent playing in cafes and restaurants in Vienna. He gained a reputation as a skilled zither player and was eventually discovered by the film director Carol Reed. Reed was in Vienna in 1948 to film "The Third Man" and was looking for a musician to provide the film's soundtrack. He heard Karas playing in a wine tavern and was immediately struck by his unique sound. Karas was initially hesitant to take on the project, as he had never composed music for a film before. However, Reed convinced him to give it a try, and Karas began composing the music for "The Third Man". The film's soundtrack, which featured Karas' distinctive zither music, became an instant classic and helped to popularize the instrument around the world. "The Third Man" was a critical and commercial success, and Karas' music played a significant role in its popularity. The film won the Palme d'Or at the 1949 Cannes Film Festival and was nominated for three Academy Awards, including Best Cinematography, Best Director, and Best Film Editing. Following the success of "The Third Man", Karas continued to compose music for films and television. He also toured extensively, performing his zither music around the world. In 1951, he released an album of his music, titled "The Harry Lime Theme and Other Zither Favorites". The album was a commercial success and helped to cement Karas' reputation as one of the world's leading zither players. Throughout his career, Karas received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to music. In 1950, he was awarded the Golden Globe for Best Original Score for "The Third Man". He was also awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art in 1952 and the Austrian Decoration for Science and Art in 1961. Karas continued to perform and compose music until his death on January 10, 1985, in Vienna, Austria. He left behind a legacy as one of the world's most talented and innovative zither players, whose music continues to inspire and delight audiences around the world.

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