Alexander Albrecht
Encyclopedia
Alexander Albrecht was a composer
, an important exponent of the Slovak music in the first half of the 20th century.
, and his mother Mária von Vaszary came from an old Hungarian family. From 1895 to 1903 he attended the Royal Catholic Gymnasium in Bratislava
, where he met and befriended Béla Bartók
. From 1904 to 1908 he studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music
in Budapest
. He studied composition as a pupil of Hans Koessler (a cousin of Max Reger
and a great admirer of Johannes Brahms
), and piano
with István Thomán
. Among his other teachers were Ferencz Szandtner, with whom he studied conducting, and David Popper
(a chamber music
teacher). During his studies Albrecht asserted himself as a successful pianist. Concurrently he studied also law.
Following his return to Bratislava in 1908, he accepted the post of organist at the St. Martin's Cathedral. Simultaneously he perfected his organ playing technique with Rudolph Dittrich in Vienna
. He also worked as a teacher at the Mestská hudobná škola ("City Music School") in Bratislava.
In 1918 he married the linguist Margaréta Fischerová.
In 1921, after the death of Eugen Kossow, the director of the "City Music School" and bandmaster of the Kirchenmusikverein zu St. Martin, Albrecht took over his place. However, the school was closed in 1945, and in 1952 also the Kirchenmusikverein ceased to exist.
Alexander Albrecht committed suicide on 30 August, 1958, shortly after his 73rd birthday.
, Malipiero
, Milhaud
, Reger
, Debussy
and others. He gradually developed his original music language already in his juvenile works, such as Andante con moto for organ, Piano Suite or the String Quartet in D major. His compositions were also slightly influenced by Art Nouveau
.
In the period from 1925-1928 he managed to establish own compositional language, most significantly apparent in the Sonatina for Eleven Instruments. Later he focused on application of his new stylistic inventions and ideas. The most valued compositions from this period are the Quintet for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Piano and the Symphony in One Movement.
In his last composing period, Albrecht has worked mainly on transcriptions of his older compositions.
He was the first representative of a modern Slovak music. Before the 1930s his work was unparalleled in Slovakia.
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, an important exponent of the Slovak music in the first half of the 20th century.
Biography
His father Ján Albrecht was a professor at the gymnasiumGymnasium (school)
A gymnasium is a type of school providing secondary education in some parts of Europe, comparable to English grammar schools or sixth form colleges and U.S. college preparatory high schools. The word γυμνάσιον was used in Ancient Greece, meaning a locality for both physical and intellectual...
, and his mother Mária von Vaszary came from an old Hungarian family. From 1895 to 1903 he attended the Royal Catholic Gymnasium in Bratislava
Bratislava
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia and, with a population of about 431,000, also the country's largest city. Bratislava is in southwestern Slovakia on both banks of the Danube River. Bordering Austria and Hungary, it is the only national capital that borders two independent countries.Bratislava...
, where he met and befriended Béla Bartók
Béla Bartók
Béla Viktor János Bartók was a Hungarian composer and pianist. He is considered one of the most important composers of the 20th century and is regarded, along with Liszt, as Hungary's greatest composer...
. From 1904 to 1908 he studied at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music
Franz Liszt Academy of Music
The Franz Liszt Academy of Music is a concert hall and music conservatory in Budapest, Hungary, founded on November 14, 1875...
in Budapest
Budapest
Budapest is the capital of Hungary. As the largest city of Hungary, it is the country's principal political, cultural, commercial, industrial, and transportation centre. In 2011, Budapest had 1,733,685 inhabitants, down from its 1989 peak of 2,113,645 due to suburbanization. The Budapest Commuter...
. He studied composition as a pupil of Hans Koessler (a cousin of Max Reger
Max Reger
Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger was a German composer, conductor, pianist, organist, and academic teacher.-Life:...
and a great admirer of Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms
Johannes Brahms was a German composer and pianist, and one of the leading musicians of the Romantic period. Born in Hamburg, Brahms spent much of his professional life in Vienna, Austria, where he was a leader of the musical scene...
), and piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
with István Thomán
István Thomán
István Thomán was a Hungarian piano virtuoso and music educator. He was appointed by Franz Liszt to teach at the Royal Hungarian Academy of Music in Budapest . István Thomán was a notable piano teacher, with students including Ernő Dohnányi, Georges Cziffra, and Béla Bartók...
. Among his other teachers were Ferencz Szandtner, with whom he studied conducting, and David Popper
David Popper
David Popper was a Bohemian cellist and composer.-Life:He was born in Prague, and studied music at the Prague Conservatory. He studied the cello under Julius Goltermann , and soon attracted attention...
(a chamber music
Chamber music
Chamber music is a form of classical music, written for a small group of instruments which traditionally could be accommodated in a palace chamber. Most broadly, it includes any art music that is performed by a small number of performers with one performer to a part...
teacher). During his studies Albrecht asserted himself as a successful pianist. Concurrently he studied also law.
Following his return to Bratislava in 1908, he accepted the post of organist at the St. Martin's Cathedral. Simultaneously he perfected his organ playing technique with Rudolph Dittrich in Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
. He also worked as a teacher at the Mestská hudobná škola ("City Music School") in Bratislava.
In 1918 he married the linguist Margaréta Fischerová.
In 1921, after the death of Eugen Kossow, the director of the "City Music School" and bandmaster of the Kirchenmusikverein zu St. Martin, Albrecht took over his place. However, the school was closed in 1945, and in 1952 also the Kirchenmusikverein ceased to exist.
Alexander Albrecht committed suicide on 30 August, 1958, shortly after his 73rd birthday.
Style
He began his composing career at the Budapest Academy. His teacher Hans Koessler attempted to instill the classical composing principles in his pupils, but Albrecht found an inspiration also in modern compositions of his contemporaries. He studied works of StravinskyIgor Stravinsky
Igor Fyodorovich Stravinsky ; 6 April 1971) was a Russian, later naturalized French, and then naturalized American composer, pianist, and conductor....
, Malipiero
Gian Francesco Malipiero
Gian Francesco Malipiero was an Italian composer, musicologist, music teacher and editor.-Early years:Born in Venice into an aristocratic family, the grandson of the opera composer Francesco Malipiero, Gian Francesco Malipiero was prevented by family troubles from pursuing his musical education in...
, Milhaud
Darius Milhaud
Darius Milhaud was a French composer and teacher. He was a member of Les Six—also known as The Group of Six—and one of the most prolific composers of the 20th century. His compositions are influenced by jazz and make use of polytonality...
, Reger
Max Reger
Johann Baptist Joseph Maximilian Reger was a German composer, conductor, pianist, organist, and academic teacher.-Life:...
, Debussy
Claude Debussy
Claude-Achille Debussy was a French composer. Along with Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most prominent figures working within the field of impressionist music, though he himself intensely disliked the term when applied to his compositions...
and others. He gradually developed his original music language already in his juvenile works, such as Andante con moto for organ, Piano Suite or the String Quartet in D major. His compositions were also slightly influenced by Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau
Art Nouveau is an international philosophy and style of art, architecture and applied art—especially the decorative arts—that were most popular during 1890–1910. The name "Art Nouveau" is French for "new art"...
.
In the period from 1925-1928 he managed to establish own compositional language, most significantly apparent in the Sonatina for Eleven Instruments. Later he focused on application of his new stylistic inventions and ideas. The most valued compositions from this period are the Quintet for Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Bassoon and Piano and the Symphony in One Movement.
In his last composing period, Albrecht has worked mainly on transcriptions of his older compositions.
He was the first representative of a modern Slovak music. Before the 1930s his work was unparalleled in Slovakia.