Aloys Fleischmann
Encyclopedia
Aloys Fleischmann was an Irish
composer
and musicologist. In addition he wrote several books and articles on Irish music.
to Ireland-based German parents on a concert tour at the time. Both parents were musicians; his father, Aloys Fleischmann, Sr., organist and choir master at St. Mary's Cathedral, Cork
and his mother, Tilly Swertz Fleischmann was a pianist and piano teacher in Cork.
Fleischmann graduated from University College Cork with a BMus in 1931 and a MA
in 1932. That year he went to study composition, conducting and musicology at the University of Munich.
He returned to University College Cork in 1934 where he held the position of Professor of Music until 1980. He founded the Cork Symphony Orchestra in 1934 and was involved in the establishment of the Cork International Choral and Folk Dance Festival (now called Cork International Choral Festival
) in 1954. Fleischmann worked alongside Joan Denise Moriarty
in setting up the Cork Ballet Company in 1947.
"During that decade [1950s] Fleischmann began to campaign for a professional Radio Éireann string orchestra to be set up in Cork, on the grounds that the nation's cultural resources should be more evenly distributed across the country, as the impact of such a body through performance, broadcasting, teaching and outreach work would be of enormous significance. In 1959, after ten years of unremitting advocacy by Fleischmann, due to the support of the city authorities, the University, Cork politicians, businessmen and 3,000 citizens, Radio Éireann agreed to set up not a string orchestra, but a professional string quartet http://www.vanbrughquartet.com/, the RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet in the city. That was just over fifty years ago. It is to be hoped that the year of Fleischmann's centenary celebrations will not see Cork's quartet removed."
Ruth Fleischmann February 2010
His Sources of Traditional Irish Music was compiled during 40 years of work in collaboration with Micheál Ó Súilleabháin
of the University of Limerick
and published posthumously in 1998.
, ballet
, chorus
and full orchestra
.
Notable compositions include:
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
composer
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...
and musicologist. In addition he wrote several books and articles on Irish music.
Life
Fleischmann was born in MunichMunich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
to Ireland-based German parents on a concert tour at the time. Both parents were musicians; his father, Aloys Fleischmann, Sr., organist and choir master at St. Mary's Cathedral, Cork
Cork (city)
Cork is the second largest city in the Republic of Ireland and the island of Ireland's third most populous city. It is the principal city and administrative centre of County Cork and the largest city in the province of Munster. Cork has a population of 119,418, while the addition of the suburban...
and his mother, Tilly Swertz Fleischmann was a pianist and piano teacher in Cork.
Fleischmann graduated from University College Cork with a BMus in 1931 and a MA
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
in 1932. That year he went to study composition, conducting and musicology at the University of Munich.
He returned to University College Cork in 1934 where he held the position of Professor of Music until 1980. He founded the Cork Symphony Orchestra in 1934 and was involved in the establishment of the Cork International Choral and Folk Dance Festival (now called Cork International Choral Festival
Cork International Choral Festival
The Cork International Choral Festival is held annually in Cork, Ireland over the May Bank Holiday Weekend and features choirs from all over the world.-History:...
) in 1954. Fleischmann worked alongside Joan Denise Moriarty
Joan Denise Moriarty
Joan Denise Moriarty was an Irish choreographer and musician. She founded the first professional ballet company in Ireland.-Early life:...
in setting up the Cork Ballet Company in 1947.
"During that decade [1950s] Fleischmann began to campaign for a professional Radio Éireann string orchestra to be set up in Cork, on the grounds that the nation's cultural resources should be more evenly distributed across the country, as the impact of such a body through performance, broadcasting, teaching and outreach work would be of enormous significance. In 1959, after ten years of unremitting advocacy by Fleischmann, due to the support of the city authorities, the University, Cork politicians, businessmen and 3,000 citizens, Radio Éireann agreed to set up not a string orchestra, but a professional string quartet http://www.vanbrughquartet.com/, the RTÉ Vanbrugh Quartet in the city. That was just over fifty years ago. It is to be hoped that the year of Fleischmann's centenary celebrations will not see Cork's quartet removed."
Ruth Fleischmann February 2010
His Sources of Traditional Irish Music was compiled during 40 years of work in collaboration with Micheál Ó Súilleabháin
Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin
Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin is an Irish musician. As a pianist, composer, recording artist and academic, he holds the Professorship of Music at the Irish World Music Centre of the University of Limerick...
of the University of Limerick
University of Limerick
The University of Limerick is a university in Ireland near the city of Limerick on the island's west coast. It was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick and became a university by statute in 1989 in accordance with the University of Limerick Act 1989...
and published posthumously in 1998.
Musical works
Fleischman composed in many formats, and his work includes pieces written for chamber music solo instrumentalInstrumental
An instrumental is a musical composition or recording without lyrics or singing, although it might include some non-articulate vocal input; the music is primarily or exclusively produced by musical instruments....
, ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
, chorus
Choir
A choir, chorale or chorus is a musical ensemble of singers. Choral music, in turn, is the music written specifically for such an ensemble to perform.A body of singers who perform together as a group is called a choir or chorus...
and full orchestra
Orchestra
An orchestra is a sizable instrumental ensemble that contains sections of string, brass, woodwind, and percussion instruments. The term orchestra derives from the Greek ορχήστρα, the name for the area in front of an ancient Greek stage reserved for the Greek chorus...
.
Notable compositions include:
- Trí hAmhráin (Three Songs), for high voice and piano or orchestra (1937)
- Piano Quintet (1938)
- The Four Masters, overture (1944)
- Clare's DragoonsClare's DragoonsThe Clare's Regiment, later known as Clare's Dragoons, was initially named O'Brien's Regiment after its originator Daniel O'Brien, 3rd Viscount Clare...
, for baritone, chorus, war-pipes and orchestra (1944) - The Golden Bell of Ko, ballet (1948)
- The Red Petticoat, ballet (1951)
- Four Fanfares for An TóstalAn TóstalAn Tóstal was the name for a series of festivals held in Ireland in the 20th Century. Inaugurated in 1953 as a celebration of Irish life, it continued on until 1958 when it died out....
(1953) - Macha Ruadh, ballet (1955)
- Song of the Provinces, for chorus, orchestra and audience participation (1963)
- Songs of Colmcille, for speaker, chorus and chamber orchestra (1964)
- Cornucopia for horn and piano (1969)
- Sinfonia Votiva (1977)
- Omós don Phiarsach (Homage to Padraic Pearse), for mezzo-soprano, speaker and orchestra (1979)
- The Táin, ballet (1981)
- Overture to Time's Offspring (1985)
- Clonmacnoise, for chorus, orchestra and audience participation (1986)
- Games, for chorus, harp and percussion (1990)
Written Works
- Music in Ireland: A Symposium ed., Cork and Oxford, 1952.
- Sources of Irish Traditional Music: An Annotated Catalogue of Prints and Manuscripts 1583-1855, 2 vols., New York, 1998.