Role

:

Composer  

Birth

:

July 18, 1922

Death

:

November 22, 2011

 

Georg Kreisler was a renowned Austrian composer, singer, and satirist who was born on July 18, 1922, in Vienna, Austria. He was the son of a Jewish doctor, and his mother was a Catholic. Kreisler's parents divorced when he was young, and he was raised by his mother. He showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Kreisler's musical education began at the Vienna Music Academy, where he studied composition and piano. However, his studies were interrupted by the outbreak of World War II. Kreisler was drafted into the Austrian army and was sent to the Eastern Front. He was captured by the Soviet army and spent several years in a prisoner-of-war camp. After the war, Kreisler returned to Vienna and resumed his musical studies. He began composing music and writing satirical songs, which he performed in cabarets and theaters throughout Austria. In 1955, he moved to the United States and settled in New York City. Kreisler's music was characterized by its dark humor and biting satire. He often wrote about the absurdities of modern life and the hypocrisy of society. His songs were often controversial and provocative, and he was known for his sharp wit and irreverent humor. One of Kreisler's most famous works is the song "Taubenvergiften im Park" ("Poisoning Pigeons in the Park"), which he wrote in 1960. The song is a satirical take on the idea of urban renewal and the destruction of nature in the name of progress. The song became a hit in Germany and Austria and has since become a classic of German-language cabaret. Another notable work by Kreisler is the song cycle "Lieder eines jüdischen Gesellen" ("Songs of a Jewish Journeyman"), which he wrote in 1964. The cycle consists of 14 songs that tell the story of a Jewish journeyman who travels through Europe and experiences anti-Semitism and persecution. The cycle is a powerful commentary on the history of Jewish persecution in Europe and has been performed by many notable singers, including Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau and Hermann Prey. Kreisler's music was also featured in several films and television shows. His song "Der Tod, das muss ein Wiener sein" ("Death Must Be a Viennese") was used in the film "The Third Man" (1949), and his song "Die Taubenvergifter" ("The Pigeon Poisoners") was used in the film "The Producers" (1967). Kreisler continued to compose and perform music throughout his life. He returned to Austria in the 1970s and became a prominent figure in the Austrian cabaret scene. He also wrote several books, including an autobiography titled "Der General kommt zurück" ("The General Returns"). Georg Kreisler died on November 22, 2011, in Salzburg, Austria, at the age of 89. He was a prolific composer and a master of satire, and his music continues to be celebrated and performed today.

More....