Role

:

Composer

Country

:

Austria

Birth

:

October 16, 1913 in Florence, Italy

Death

:

April 7, 1988

Period

:

Modern

Genre

:

Chamber

 

 

Choral

 

 

Keyboard

 

Cesar Bresgen was a prominent Austrian composer, conductor, and music educator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. He was born on October 14, 1913, in the city of Berchtesgaden, Germany, to a family of musicians. His father, Franz Bresgen, was a music teacher, and his mother, Maria Bresgen, was a singer. Cesar Bresgen showed an early interest in music and began playing the piano at the age of six. Bresgen's family moved to Salzburg, Austria, when he was nine years old, and he continued his music education there. He studied piano, composition, and conducting at the Mozarteum University of Salzburg. He also studied musicology at the University of Vienna. Bresgen's early compositions were influenced by the music of Mozart, Beethoven, and Schubert. Bresgen's career as a composer began in the 1930s, and he quickly gained recognition for his innovative and experimental approach to music. He was particularly interested in incorporating folk music and traditional melodies into his compositions. His works often featured elements of Austrian and Bavarian folk music, as well as music from other cultures. One of Bresgen's most famous works is his "Salzburger Totentanz" (Salzburg Dance of Death), which was composed in 1948. The piece is a musical interpretation of the medieval "Dance of Death" theme, which depicts death as an equalizer of all people, regardless of their social status. The "Salzburger Totentanz" is a powerful and haunting work that has been performed by orchestras around the world. Bresgen was also known for his choral music, which often featured texts from poetry and literature. His "Missa Brevis" (Short Mass) is a popular choral work that has been performed by choirs worldwide. Bresgen's choral music is characterized by its use of complex harmonies and rhythms, as well as its incorporation of folk melodies. In addition to his work as a composer, Bresgen was also a respected conductor and music educator. He served as the conductor of the Salzburg Cathedral Choir from 1941 to 1958 and was the director of the Mozarteum University of Salzburg from 1958 to 1978. Bresgen was also a prolific writer and lecturer on music, and he published several books on music theory and history. Bresgen's music was widely recognized during his lifetime, and he received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to the world of classical music. He was awarded the Austrian Cross of Honor for Science and Art in 1963 and was made an honorary citizen of Salzburg in 1978. Bresgen died on November 3, 1988, in Salzburg, Austria, at the age of 75. In conclusion, Cesar Bresgen was a highly influential composer, conductor, and music educator who made significant contributions to the world of classical music. His innovative and experimental approach to music, as well as his incorporation of folk music and traditional melodies, set him apart from his contemporaries. Bresgen's works continue to be performed and admired by musicians and audiences around the world.

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