Role

:

Composer Conductor  

Country

:

Germany

Birth

:

January 18, 1903 in Hamburg, Germany

Death

:

October 17, 1993 in London, England

Period

:

Contemporary

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Keyboard

 

Berthold Goldschmidt was a German-born composer and conductor who lived from 1903 to 1996. He was born in Hamburg to a Jewish family, and his parents were both musicians. His father was a violinist and his mother was a pianist, and they encouraged their son's musical talents from a young age. Goldschmidt began studying music at the age of six, and he showed a particular aptitude for the violin. He studied with several prominent teachers, including Carl Flesch and Adolf Busch, and he made his debut as a soloist with the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra at the age of 17. In the 1920s, Goldschmidt began to focus more on composition, and he studied with Franz Schreker at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik. He also became involved with the Berlin avant-garde scene, and he was a member of the Novembergruppe, a group of artists and intellectuals who sought to promote modernism in the arts. Goldschmidt's early works were influenced by the Second Viennese School, and he was particularly drawn to the music of Alban Berg. However, his music also showed a strong sense of individuality, and he was praised for his ability to combine modernist techniques with more traditional forms. In 1933, Goldschmidt's life was upended by the rise of the Nazi party in Germany. As a Jew, he was no longer able to work as a musician, and he was forced to flee the country. He eventually settled in England, where he worked as a conductor and composer. During his time in England, Goldschmidt continued to compose, but his music was largely ignored by the musical establishment. He also struggled to make a living as a conductor, and he was forced to take on a variety of odd jobs to make ends meet. It wasn't until the 1990s that Goldschmidt's music began to receive the recognition it deserved. In 1995, he was awarded the Bundesverdienstkreuz, one of Germany's highest honors, and his music was performed at the BBC Proms and other major festivals. Goldschmidt's music is characterized by its emotional intensity and its ability to combine modernist techniques with more traditional forms. His works include several operas, including "Beatrice Cenci" and "Der gewaltige Hahnrei," as well as numerous orchestral and chamber works. One of Goldschmidt's most famous works is his "Cello Concerto," which was written in 1955. The concerto is notable for its use of serial techniques, as well as its lyrical and expressive melodies. It has been performed by many of the world's leading cellists, including Yo-Yo Ma and Jacqueline du Pré. Another important work by Goldschmidt is his opera "Beatrice Cenci," which was written in the 1940s but was not performed until 1988. The opera tells the story of Beatrice Cenci, a 16th-century Italian noblewoman who was executed for the murder of her abusive father. The opera is notable for its powerful music and its exploration of themes of justice and revenge. Overall, Berthold Goldschmidt was a composer of great talent and originality, whose music deserves to be better known. His life was marked by the upheavals of the 20th century, but he continued to create music of great beauty and emotional power in spite of the many obstacles he faced.

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