Egon Wellesz
Encyclopedia
Egon Joseph Wellesz was an Austria
n-born British
composer
, teacher and musicologist, notable particularly in the field of Byzantine music
.
extraction. Though part Jewish by birth and Protestant by upbringing, he converted to Catholicism
. Wellesz studied in Vienna
under Arnold Schoenberg
— purportedly his first private pupil — as well as Guido Adler
, who founded the musicological institute in Vienna and was a leading editor of the Austrian Denkmaler. These dual influences shaped much of his musical and scholarly thought. In 1913, Wellesz embarked upon what would become a lifelong interest in the musical achievements of Byzantium.
Wellesz left Austria for England
in the wake of the Anschluss
— more specifically,
Wellesz was in Amsterdam
at the time by good fortune, to hear his orchestral piece Prosperos Beschwörungen conducted by Bruno Walter
on that day. Altogether he wrote nine symphonies
and an equal number of string quartet
s, the former starting, in 1945, only with his arrival in England and the latter series of works spread throughout his life. Other compositions by him include opera
s, one of which (Die Bakchantinnen) was revived and recorded a few years ago; an octet
with the same instrumentation as Schubert's; piano
and violin concerto
s (one of each); and a suite for violin and orchestra. Stylistically his earliest music, somewhat like that of Ernst Krenek
, is in a harsh but recognisably tonal
style; there is a definite second period of sorts around the time of the first two symphonies (1940s) in which his music has a somewhat Brucknerian
sound — in the symphonies sometimes an equal breadth, though still with something of a 20th-century feel and harmonies — but after his fourth symphony (the Austriaca) his music is more tonally vague in character, with serial
techniques used. This idiom is consistent with hints of tonality
, such as can be found in his eighth string quartet.
Despite his composing, Wellesz remains best known for his extensive scholarly contributions to the study of Byzantine music. These contributions brought for him an honorary doctorate from Oxford (where he later taught) in 1932.
s as well as some 20 works without opus number. He busied himself in a variety of media.
Recently, interest in Wellesz's music has increased. A complete recording of his nine symphonies is available, although his music has generally been sparsely represented on CD or LP
. His 3rd symphony (1950-1), published posthumously, received its world premiere in Vienna
in 2000. Several of his symphonies have titles, including the second (The English), and the seventh (Contra torrentum).
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n-born British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
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...
, teacher and musicologist, notable particularly in the field of Byzantine music
Byzantine music
Byzantine music is the music of the Byzantine Empire composed to Greek texts as ceremonial, festival, or church music. Greek and foreign historians agree that the ecclesiastical tones and in general the whole system of Byzantine music is closely related to the ancient Greek system...
.
Life
Both parents of Wellesz were Hungarian Christians of JewishJudaism
Judaism ) is the "religion, philosophy, and way of life" of the Jewish people...
extraction. Though part Jewish by birth and Protestant by upbringing, he converted to Catholicism
Catholicism
Catholicism is a broad term for the body of the Catholic faith, its theologies and doctrines, its liturgical, ethical, spiritual, and behavioral characteristics, as well as a religious people as a whole....
. Wellesz studied 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...
under Arnold Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg
Arnold Schoenberg was an Austrian composer, associated with the expressionist movement in German poetry and art, and leader of the Second Viennese School...
— purportedly his first private pupil — as well as Guido Adler
Guido Adler
Guido Adler was a Bohemian-Austrian musicologist and writer.His father Joachim, a physician, died of typhoid fever in 1857...
, who founded the musicological institute in Vienna and was a leading editor of the Austrian Denkmaler. These dual influences shaped much of his musical and scholarly thought. In 1913, Wellesz embarked upon what would become a lifelong interest in the musical achievements of Byzantium.
Wellesz left Austria for England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
in the wake of the Anschluss
Anschluss
The Anschluss , also known as the ', was the occupation and annexation of Austria into Nazi Germany in 1938....
— more specifically,
Wellesz was in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
at the time by good fortune, to hear his orchestral piece Prosperos Beschwörungen conducted by Bruno Walter
Bruno Walter
Bruno Walter was a German-born conductor. He is considered one of the best known conductors of the 20th century. Walter was born in Berlin, but is known to have lived in several countries between 1933 and 1939, before finally settling in the United States in 1939...
on that day. Altogether he wrote nine symphonies
Symphony
A symphony is an extended musical composition in Western classical music, scored almost always for orchestra. A symphony usually contains at least one movement or episode composed according to the sonata principle...
and an equal number of string quartet
String quartet
A string quartet is a musical ensemble of four string players – usually two violin players, a violist and a cellist – or a piece written to be performed by such a group...
s, the former starting, in 1945, only with his arrival in England and the latter series of works spread throughout his life. Other compositions by him include opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
s, one of which (Die Bakchantinnen) was revived and recorded a few years ago; an octet
Octet (music)
In music, an octet is a musical ensemble consisting of eight instruments or voices, or a musical composition written for such an ensemble.-Octets in classical music:Octets in classical music are one of the largest groupings of chamber music...
with the same instrumentation as Schubert's; piano
Piano concerto
A piano concerto is a concerto written for piano and orchestra.See also harpsichord concerto; some of these works are occasionally played on piano...
and violin concerto
Violin concerto
A violin concerto is a concerto for solo violin and instrumental ensemble, customarily orchestra. Such works have been written since the Baroque period, when the solo concerto form was first developed, up through the present day...
s (one of each); and a suite for violin and orchestra. Stylistically his earliest music, somewhat like that of Ernst Krenek
Ernst Krenek
Ernst Krenek was an Austrian of Czech origin and, from 1945, American composer. He explored atonality and other modern styles and wrote a number of books, including Music Here and Now , a study of Johannes Ockeghem , and Horizons Circled: Reflections on my Music...
, is in a harsh but recognisably tonal
Tonality
Tonality is a system of music in which specific hierarchical pitch relationships are based on a key "center", or tonic. The term tonalité originated with Alexandre-Étienne Choron and was borrowed by François-Joseph Fétis in 1840...
style; there is a definite second period of sorts around the time of the first two symphonies (1940s) in which his music has a somewhat Brucknerian
Anton Bruckner
Anton Bruckner was an Austrian composer known for his symphonies, masses, and motets. The first are considered emblematic of the final stage of Austro-German Romanticism because of their rich harmonic language, complex polyphony, and considerable length...
sound — in the symphonies sometimes an equal breadth, though still with something of a 20th-century feel and harmonies — but after his fourth symphony (the Austriaca) his music is more tonally vague in character, with serial
Serialism
In music, serialism is a method or technique of composition that uses a series of values to manipulate different musical elements. Serialism began primarily with Arnold Schoenberg's twelve-tone technique, though his contemporaries were also working to establish serialism as one example of...
techniques used. This idiom is consistent with hints of tonality
Tonality
Tonality is a system of music in which specific hierarchical pitch relationships are based on a key "center", or tonic. The term tonalité originated with Alexandre-Étienne Choron and was borrowed by François-Joseph Fétis in 1840...
, such as can be found in his eighth string quartet.
Despite his composing, Wellesz remains best known for his extensive scholarly contributions to the study of Byzantine music. These contributions brought for him an honorary doctorate from Oxford (where he later taught) in 1932.
Compositions
Wellesz’s works as a composer amount to at least 112 works with opus numberOpus number
An Opus number , pl. opera and opuses, abbreviated, sing. Op. and pl. Opp. refers to a number generally assigned by composers to an individual composition or set of compositions on publication, to help identify their works...
s as well as some 20 works without opus number. He busied himself in a variety of media.
Recently, interest in Wellesz's music has increased. A complete recording of his nine symphonies is available, although his music has generally been sparsely represented on CD or LP
LP record
The LP, or long-playing microgroove record, is a format for phonograph records, an analog sound storage medium. Introduced by Columbia Records in 1948, it was soon adopted as a new standard by the entire record industry...
. His 3rd symphony (1950-1), published posthumously, received its world premiere 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...
in 2000. Several of his symphonies have titles, including the second (The English), and the seventh (Contra torrentum).
Works for Stage
- Das Wunder der Diana, op. 18 (1914–1917), ballet after Béla BalázsBéla Balázs----Béla Balázs , born Herbert Bauer, was a Hungarian-Jewish film critic, aesthete, writer and poet....
- Die Prinzessin Girnara, op. 27 (1919–1920), libretto by Jakob WassermannJakob WassermannJakob Wassermann was a Jewish-German writer and novelist.- Life :Born in Fürth, Wassermann was the son of a shopkeeper and lost his mother at an early age. He showed literary interest early and published various pieces in small newspapers...
- Persisches Ballett, op. 30 (1920), ballet after Ellen Tels
- Achilles auf Skyros, op. 33 (1921), ballet after Hugo von HofmannsthalHugo von HofmannsthalHugo Laurenz August Hofmann von Hofmannsthal ; , was an Austrian novelist, librettist, poet, dramatist, narrator, and essayist.-Early life:...
- Alkestis, op. 35 (1924), Libretto by Hugo von Hofmannsthal after EuripidesEuripidesEuripides was one of the three great tragedians of classical Athens, the other two being Aeschylus and Sophocles. Some ancient scholars attributed ninety-five plays to him but according to the Suda it was ninety-two at most...
- Die Nächtlichen: Tanzsinfonien, op. 37 (1924), Ballet scene after Max Terpis
- Die Opferung des Gefangenen, op. 40 (1924–1925), Stage drama after Eduard Stucken
- Scherz, List und Rache, op. 41 (1927), libretto after Johann Wolfgang von GoetheJohann Wolfgang von GoetheJohann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer, pictorial artist, biologist, theoretical physicist, and polymath. He is considered the supreme genius of modern German literature. His works span the fields of poetry, drama, prose, philosophy, and science. His Faust has been called the greatest long...
- Die Bakchantinnen, op. 44 (1931), libretto by the composer after Euripides, opera in 2 Acts
- Hymne der Agave aus Die Bakchantinnen, op. 44, concert edition by Wellesz
- Incognita, op. 69 (1950), libretto by Elizabeth MacKenzie and William CongreveWilliam CongreveWilliam Congreve was an English playwright and poet.-Early life:Congreve was born in Bardsey, West Yorkshire, England . His parents were William Congreve and his wife, Mary ; a sister was buried in London in 1672...
Choral Works
- Drei gemischte Chöre, op. 43 (1930), text: Angelus SilesiusAngelus SilesiusAngelus Silesius was a German Catholic mystic and poet.-Life:Silesius was born in Breslau , Silesia as son of Polish noble and German mother...
- Fünf kleine Männerchöre, op. 46 (1932) from Fränkischen Koran by Ludwig DerlethLudwig DerlethLudwig Derleth was a German writer.He was born in Gerolzhofen in Bavaria. After studying philosophy and literature Derleth worked as a college level teacher of ancient languages...
- Drei geistliche Chöre, op. 47 (1932) for men's chorus based on poems from Mitte des Lebens by Rudolf Alexander SchröderRudolf Alexander SchröderRudolf Alexander Schröder was a German translator and poet. Much of his work is Christian lyrical verse. He was a member of the Confessing Church which resisted Nazi Germany....
- Zwei Gesänge, op. 48 (1932) based on poems from Mitte des Lebens by Rudolf Alexander SchröderRudolf Alexander SchröderRudolf Alexander Schröder was a German translator and poet. Much of his work is Christian lyrical verse. He was a member of the Confessing Church which resisted Nazi Germany....
- Mass in F minor, op. 51 (1934)
- Quant'è bella Giovinezza, op. 59 (1937), for women's choir
- Carol, op. 62a (1944) for women's choir
- Proprium Missae, Laetare, op. 71 (1953) for choir and organ
- Kleine Messe in G major, op. 80a (1958) for three similar voices a capella
- Alleluia, op. 80b (1958) for soprano or tenor solo
- Laus Nocturna, op. 88 (1962)
- Missa brevis, op. 89 (1963) for choir
- To Sleep, op. 94 (1965) for choir
- Festliches Präludium, op. 100 (1966) on a Byzantinium Magnificat for choir and organ
Orchestral Works
- Heldensang, op. 2 (1905), symphonic prologue for large orchestra
- Vorfrühling, op. 12 (1912), symphonic mood picture for orchestra
- Suite, op. 16 (1913), for orchestra
- Mitte des Lebens, op. 45 (1931–32), cantata for soprano, choir, and orchestra
- Piano Concerto, op. 49 (1933)
- Amor Timido, op. 50 (1933), aria for soprano and small orchestra, text: Pietro Metastasio
- Prosperos Beschwörungen, op. 53 (1934–36), five symphonic works for orchestra after William ShakespeareWilliam ShakespeareWilliam Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
s The Tempest - Lied der Welt, op. 54 (1936–38), for soprano and orchestra. Text: Hugo von HofmannsthalHugo von HofmannsthalHugo Laurenz August Hofmann von Hofmannsthal ; , was an Austrian novelist, librettist, poet, dramatist, narrator, and essayist.-Early life:...
- Leben, Traum und Tod, op. 55 (1936–37), for alto and orchestra. Text: Hugo von HofmannsthalHugo von HofmannsthalHugo Laurenz August Hofmann von Hofmannsthal ; , was an Austrian novelist, librettist, poet, dramatist, narrator, and essayist.-Early life:...
- Schönbüheler Messe C-dur, op. 58 (1937), for choir, orchestra, and organ
- Symphony No. 1, op. 62 (1945)
- Symphony No. 2, op. 65 (1947–48), The English
- Symphony No. 3, op. 68 (1949–51)
- Symphony No. 4, op. 70 (1951–53), Austriaca
- Symphony No. 5, op. 75 (1955–56)
- Violin concerto, op. 84 (1961), dedicated to the violinist Eduard MelkusEduard MelkusEduard Melkus is an Austrian violinist and violist.Following the Second World War, Melkus dedicated himself to the exploration of historically informed performance...
. Recorded by David Frühwirth in 2010 on CD. - Four Songs of Return, op. 85 (1961), for soprano and chamber orchestra, after texts by Elizabeth Mackenzie
- Duineser Elegie, op. 90 (1963) for soprano, choir, and orchestra after Rainer Maria RilkeRainer Maria RilkeRené Karl Wilhelm Johann Josef Maria Rilke , better known as Rainer Maria Rilke, was a Bohemian–Austrian poet. He is considered one of the most significant poets in the German language...
- Ode an die Musik, op. 92 (1965) for baritone or alto and chamber orchestra, text: PindarPindarPindar , was an Ancient Greek lyric poet. Of the canonical nine lyric poets of ancient Greece, his work is the best preserved. Quintilian described him as "by far the greatest of the nine lyric poets, in virtue of his inspired magnificence, the beauty of his thoughts and figures, the rich...
, in free adaptation of works by Friedrich HölderlinFriedrich HölderlinJohann Christian Friedrich Hölderlin was a major German lyric poet, commonly associated with the artistic movement known as Romanticism. Hölderlin was also an important thinker in the development of German Idealism, particularly his early association with and philosophical influence on his... - Symphony No. 6, op. 95 (1965)
- Vision for soprano and orchester, op. 99 (1966), text: Georg TraklGeorg TraklGeorg Trakl was an Austrian poet. He is considered one of the most important Austrian Expressionists.- Life and work :Trakl was born and lived the first 18 years of his life in Salzburg, Austria...
- Mirabile Mysterium, op. 101 (1967) for soloist, choir, and Orchester
- Symphony No. 7, op. 102 (1967–68), Contra torrentem
- Canticum Sapientiae, op. 104 (1968) for baritone, choir, and orchestra after texts from the Old TestamentOld TestamentThe Old Testament, of which Christians hold different views, is a Christian term for the religious writings of ancient Israel held sacred and inspired by Christians which overlaps with the 24-book canon of the Masoretic Text of Judaism...
- Divertimento, op. 107 (1969), for small orchestra
- Symphonic Epilogue, op. 108 (1969)
- Symphony No. 8, op. 110 (1970)
- Symphony No. 9, op. 111 (1970–71)
Chamber Music
- String Quartet No. 1, op. 14 (1912)
- String Quartet No. 2, op. 20 (1915–16)
- Geistliches Lied, op. 23 (1918–19) for singing voice, violin, viola, and piano
- String Quartet No. 3, op. 25 (1918)
- String Quartet No. 4, op. 28 (1920)
- Sonata for violoncello solo, op. 30 (1920)
- Two Works for clarinet and piano, op. 34 (1922)
- Sonata for violin solo, op. 36 (1923)
- Suite for violin and chamber orchestra, op. 38 (1924)
- Sonnet by Elizabeth Barrett-Browning for soprano and string quartet or large string ensemble, op. 52 (1934)
- Suite for violoncello solo, op. 39 (1924)
- Suite for violin and piano, op. 56 (1937/1957)
- Suite for flute solo, op. 57 (1937)
- String quartet No. 5, op. 60 (1943)
- The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo, song for soprano, clarinet, violoncello, piano, op. 61 (1944), text: Gerard Manley HopkinsGerard Manley HopkinsGerard Manley Hopkins, S.J. was an English poet, Roman Catholic convert, and Jesuit priest, whose posthumous 20th-century fame established him among the leading Victorian poets...
- String Quartet No. 6, op. 64 (1946)
- String Quartet No. 7, op. 66 (1948)
- Octet, op. 67 (1948–49) for clarinet, bassoon, horn, two violins, viola, violoncello, and contrabass
- Sonata for violin solo, op. 72 (1953/59)
- Suite, op. 73 (1954) for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, and bassoon
- Suite for solo clarinet, op. 74 (1956)
- Suite for solo oboe, op. 76 (1956)
- Suite for solo bassoon, op. 77 (1957)
- Fanfare for solo horn, op. 78 (1957)
- String Quartet No. 8, op. 79 (1957)
- Quintet, op. 81 (1959) for clarinet, 2 violins, viola, and violoncello
- String trio, op. 86 (1962)
- Rhapsody for viola solo, op. 87 (1962)
- Musik for string orchestra in one movement, op. 91 (1964)
- Fünf Miniaturen for violins and piano, op. 93 (1965)
- Partita in Honor of Johann Sebastian BachJohann Sebastian BachJohann Sebastian Bach was a German composer, organist, harpsichordist, violist, and violinist whose sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra, and solo instruments drew together the strands of the Baroque period and brought it to its ultimate maturity...
, op. 96 (1965) for organ - String Quartet No. 9, op. 97 (1966)
- Four Works for string quartet, op. 103 (1968)
- Four Works for string trio, op. 105 (1969, second version 1971)
- Four Works for string quintet, op. 109 (1970)
- Prelude for viola solo, op. 112 (1971)