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Composer  

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Modern

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Michael Von Zadora was a Hungarian-American composer and pianist who was born on January 1, 1882, in Budapest, Hungary. He was born into a family of musicians, and his father, János Zádor, was a well-known composer and conductor. Michael Von Zadora showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at a young age. He received his formal music education at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest, where he studied under the renowned composer and pianist Franz Liszt. After completing his studies, Michael Von Zadora began his career as a concert pianist, performing throughout Europe and the United States. He was known for his virtuosic piano playing and his ability to interpret the works of other composers with great sensitivity and nuance. However, he soon turned his attention to composition, and in 1908, he premiered his first major work, a piano concerto, in Budapest. Michael Von Zadora's early compositions were heavily influenced by the Romantic tradition, and he was particularly drawn to the music of Franz Liszt and Richard Wagner. However, he also incorporated elements of Hungarian folk music into his works, which gave them a unique flavor and helped to establish his reputation as a composer. In 1911, Michael Von Zadora moved to the United States, where he continued to compose and perform. He quickly established himself as a leading figure in the American classical music scene, and his works were performed by some of the country's most prestigious orchestras and ensembles. One of Michael Von Zadora's most famous works is his opera, "The Garden of Allah," which premiered in 1913. The opera was based on the novel of the same name by Robert Hichens and tells the story of a French priest who falls in love with a woman in the Sahara desert. The opera was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to establish Michael Von Zadora as one of the leading composers of his time. In addition to his opera, Michael Von Zadora composed a number of other works, including symphonies, concertos, and chamber music. He was particularly known for his piano music, and his works for the instrument are still performed and recorded today. Michael Von Zadora was also a prolific composer of film music, and he wrote scores for a number of Hollywood films in the 1920s and 1930s. His film music was characterized by its lush orchestration and its ability to capture the mood and atmosphere of the films for which it was written. Despite his success as a composer, Michael Von Zadora's personal life was marked by tragedy. He was married three times, and all three of his wives died at a young age. His first wife, the American soprano Alice Nielsen, died in 1943, and his second wife, the Hungarian pianist and composer Ilona Durigo, died in 1951. His third wife, the American pianist and composer Margaret Ruthven Lang, died in 1972. Michael Von Zadora continued to compose and perform throughout his life, and he remained an important figure in the American classical music scene until his death on June 4, 1957, in New York City. His legacy as a composer and pianist continues to be celebrated today, and his works are still performed and recorded by musicians around the world.

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