Role

:

Composer

Birth

:

1926 in Vienna, Austria

Death

:

April 17, 2011 in Australia

 

Eric Gross was an Australian composer who was born on August 17, 1926, in Vienna, Austria. He was the son of a Jewish family, and his father was a successful businessman. Gross showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. He received his formal music education at the Vienna Academy of Music, where he studied composition with Joseph Marx and conducting with Hans Swarowsky. In 1938, when Gross was 12 years old, his family fled Austria to escape the Nazi regime. They settled in Australia, where Gross continued his music studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. He later studied at the University of Sydney, where he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in 1950. Gross began his career as a composer in the 1950s, and his early works were influenced by the European avant-garde movement. He was particularly interested in the music of Arnold Schoenberg and Anton Webern, and his early compositions reflect their influence. However, Gross soon developed his own unique style, which combined elements of modernism with traditional tonality. One of Gross's most significant works is his Symphony No. 1, which he composed in 1957. The symphony is a large-scale work that reflects Gross's interest in the music of the Second Viennese School. It is a complex and challenging work that requires a large orchestra and features intricate counterpoint and dense harmonies. Gross's music was well-received in Australia, and he became one of the country's most prominent composers. He was awarded numerous prizes and honors, including the Order of Australia in 1990. He also served as the director of the Sydney Conservatorium of Music from 1970 to 1980. Gross's music continued to evolve throughout his career, and he experimented with a variety of styles and techniques. In the 1970s, he began incorporating elements of jazz and rock music into his compositions. He also became interested in electronic music and began using synthesizers and other electronic instruments in his works. One of Gross's most popular works is his Concerto for Guitar and Orchestra, which he composed in 1981. The concerto is a virtuosic work that showcases the guitar's versatility and range. It has been performed by numerous guitarists around the world and has become a staple of the guitar repertoire. Gross continued to compose music until his death in 2011. His later works were characterized by a more lyrical and accessible style, and he often drew inspiration from Australian landscapes and culture. Some of his most notable works from this period include his String Quartet No. 3 and his Symphony No. 5. Eric Gross was a prolific and influential composer who made significant contributions to the Australian classical music scene. His music reflects his diverse interests and influences, and his legacy continues to inspire new generations of composers and musicians.

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