Gottfried von Einem (1918 - 1996)
Gottfried
von Einem has a special place among the Austrian composers of
the 20th Century. He did not share the fate of so many of his
colleagues, namely to be known only by a small group of contemporary
music cogniscenti or to compose purely on paper, never receiving
performances of his works. His name was known all over the world,
and his career as a composer proved itself to be a string of unequaled
national and international successes.
Einem never allowed himself to be identified with a particular
"direction" or "school" of 20th Century music. It was always his
tendency to write "his" music, whether it be found too modern
by certain circles of the public or too conservative by his colleagues
and critics. The opera "Dantons Tod [Danton's Death]," premiered
during the Salzburg Festival in 1947 to great acclaim, proved
to be the composer's international breakthrough.
Further operatic successes followed; of particular note was "Der
Besuch der alten Dame [The Old Lady's Visit]" based on a work
by Dürrenmatt. At times, conflict arose with some sections of
the public, as in 1980 with the misunderstood mystery opera "Jesu
Hochzeit [Jesus' Wedding]."
In such instances, Einem did not back down but instead argued
his point of view with admirable self-confidence. Einem occupied
a prestigious position within the cultural life of Austria, not
only as a composer, but also as a music pedagogue and a representative
for other Austrian composers. His voice carried great weight.
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