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{{Short description|Slovak conductor and composer (1906–2000)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2016}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}}
{{Infobox person
{{Hungarian name|Rajter Lajos}}{{No citations|date=February 2024}}{{Infobox person
| name = Ludovit Rajter
| image = Ludovít Rajter.jpg
| name = Ľudovít Rajter
| image_size =
| image = Ludovít Rajter.jpg
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| image_size =
| landscape = <!-- yes, if wide image, otherwise leave blank -->
| alt =
| alt =
| caption = Ľudovít Rajter, 1975
| caption = Ľudovít Rajter, 1975
| native_name =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| native_name_lang =
| alias =
| alias =
| birth_date = {{birth date|1906|07|30}}
| birth_date = {{birth date|1906|07|30|df=y}}
| birth_place = [[Pezinok]], [[Kingdom of Hungary]]
| birth_place = [[Pezinok|Bazin]], [[Kingdom of Hungary]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2000|7|6|1906|7|30}}
| death_date = {{death date and age|2000|7|6|1906|7|30|df=y}}
| death_place =[[Bratislava]], Slovakia
| death_place = [[Bratislava]], [[Slovakia]]
| occupation = Composer
| occupation = Composer
}}
}}
'''Ľudovít Rajter''' (Hungarian: Rayter Lajos; 30 July 1906, in [[Pezinok]], [[Kingdom of Hungary]] – 6 July 2000, in [[Bratislava]], [[Slovakia]]) was a Slovakian Hungarian [[composer]] and [[conducting|conductor]]. The Rayter family immigrated to Hungary from [[Southern Germany|South Germany]], but were of [[Dutch people|Dutch]] origin.
'''Ľudovít Rajter''' ({{lang-hu|Rajter Lajos}}; 30 July 1906 in [[Pezinok|Bazin]], [[Kingdom of Hungary]] – 6 July 2000 in [[Bratislava]], [[Slovakia]]) was a [[Hungarians in Slovakia|Hungarian]] [[composer]] and [[conducting|conductor]] from [[Slovakia]].


== Life ==
== Origin ==
Rajter's [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] family had [[German-Hungarian relations|German-Hungarian]] roots. His father worked as a teacher, cantor and choral conductor in the service of the Evangelical Church A.B.{{clarify|date=August 2017|post-text=What's A.B.?}} Rajter's family came from southern Germany and came to Hungary in the time of [[Maria Theresa]] (c.&nbsp;1740). In that time the family name was still "Raiter" or "Rayter". Rajter's family spoke three languages: Hungarian, German, and Slovak, and Rajter kept this habit to the end of his life.
Rajter's [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] family had [[Germans of Hungary|German-Hungarian]] and [[Dutch people|Dutch]] roots. His father worked as a teacher, cantor, and choral conductor in the service of the [[Lutheran church]]. Rajter's family came from southern Germany and came to Hungary during the reign of [[Maria Theresa]] (c.&nbsp;1740). In that time the family name was still "Raiter" or "Rayter". Rajter's family spoke three languages: Hungarian, German, and Slovak, and Rajter continued this to the end of his life.


== Life ==
=== Professional background ===
=== Professional background ===
He received his first musical training from his father Lajos Rajter Sr (1880–1945), then (from 1920) in the music school in Bratislava (with [[Alexander Albrecht]]). After completion of this school and after graduation at the [[Protestantism|Protestant]] [[Lycée]] A.B. In 1924 he enrolled at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. He was taught by the composer [[Franz Schmidt]] and [[Joseph Marx]] (composition), [[Clemens Krauss]] (conductor) and [[Alexander Wunderer]] (orchestral conductor). At that time Rajter was also assistant to [[Clemens Krauss]] (until 1933).
Rajter received his first musical training from his father Lajos Rajter Sr (1880–1945). He was educated at the Town School for Music in Bratislava with [[Alexander Albrecht]] from 1915-1920.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ľudovít Rajter - About Slovak music {{!}} Hudobne Centrum |url=https://hc.sk/en/o-slovenskej-hudbe/osobnost-detail/25-ludovit-rajter |access-date=2024-04-17 |website=hc.sk}}</ref> In 1924 he enrolled at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. He was taught by the composer [[Franz Schmidt (composer)|Franz Schmidt]] and [[Joseph Marx]] (composition), [[Clemens Krauss]] (conductor) and [[Alexander Wunderer]] (orchestral conductor). At that time Rajter was also assistant to [[Clemens Krauss]] (until 1933).


=== Hungary ===
=== Hungary ===
After the Viennese studies he changed to the Liszt Ferenc Zeneművészeti Főiskola in 1929, where he became a student of [[Ernő Dohnányi|Ernst von Dohnányi]]. In 1935 he became the first conductor of the [[Hungarian Radio]] Orchestra in Budapest. He continued this activity until 1945. He also worked as a professor at the [[Academy of Music in Budapest]]. During this time, Rajter received numerous invitations from major foreign orchestras; Numerous works by [[Béla Bartók]] and [[Zoltán Kodály]] were premiered under his conductor's staff.
After studying in Vienna, he moved to the Liszt Ferenc Zeneművészeti Főiskola in 1929, where he became a student of [[Ernő Dohnányi|Ernst von Dohnányi]]. In 1935 he became the first conductor of the [[Hungarian Radio]] Orchestra in Budapest. He continued there until 1945. He also worked as a professor at the [[Academy of Music in Budapest]]. During this time, Rajter received numerous invitations from major foreign orchestras; numerous works by [[Béla Bartók]] and [[Zoltán Kodály]] were premiered by him.


=== Post-war years ===
=== Post-war years ===
{{multiple issues|
⚫
In 1946, Rajter returned to [[Czechoslovakia]] and worked until 1949 as chief of the [[Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra|Czechoslovak Radio]] Orchestra in Bratislava. In 1949, together with [[Václav Talich]], he became the founder of the Slovak Philharmonic whose first conductor he later became. In the [[Stalinist period]] (beginning of the 1950s), Rajter did not appear to be sufficiently "politically reliable" to the Communist rulers of the time, so he was prohibited from conducting and was banned as an "archivist" in the Philharmonic Archives Which had been home to him since the founding of the orchestra in the Redsburg press in Prussia [4]. It was not until 1953 (after Stalin's death) that he was appointed the head of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra until 1961. But even later he never belonged to the "beneficiaries" of the then-popular [[Czechoslovakia]]. [[Ladislav Slovák]], the Shostakovich admirer, was given the position of the chief dignitary at that time.
⚫
{{Original research section|date=August 2017}}
{{Peacock|section|date=August 2017}}
}}

⚫
In 1946, Rajter returned to [[Czechoslovakia]] and worked until 1949 as chief of the [[Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra|Czecho-Slovak Radio Orchestra]] in Bratislava. In 1949, he co-founded (together with [[Václav Talich]]) the Slovak Philharmonic and became its first conductor. In the [[Stalinist period]], Rajter appeared to be "politically unreliable" to the [[Communist regime in Czechoslovakia|communist regime]] of the time, and thus was prohibited from conducting. He was also banned as an "archivist" in the Philharmonic Archives.{{Clarify|date=February 2024}} It was not until 1953, after Stalin's death, that he was oce again appointed the head of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, where he remained until1961. [[Ladislav Slovák]] was given the position of the chief dignitary at that time.


In 1966, Rajter conducted the Masterclass for Conductors at the [[Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg|Mozarteum]] in Salzburg during the Summer Academy.
In 1966, Rajter conducted the Masterclass for Conductors at the [[Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg|Mozarteum]] in Salzburg during the Summer Academy.


In 1968 he returned to the [[radio orchestra]] of the Czechoslovak Radio, where he worked until his retirement in 1976 as chief conductor.
In 1968 he returned to the Czecho-Slovak Radio Orchestra, where he worked until his retirement in 1976 as chief conductor.


He conducted all the symphonies of [[Ludwig van Beethoven]], as well as a part of the works of [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart|Mozart]] and [[Joseph Haydn]].
⚫
{{Original research section|date=August 2017}}{{Peacock|section|date=August 2017}}
Rajter was a European, a body and soul, already at a time when this word was not yet modern. His appearance as well as his conducting style was full of elegance and nobility. But also his overall appearance, his high, slender figure and an incredible security at the conductor's desk were always impressive for the audience. He mastered and directed many works of the music world literature by heart. For example, all the symphonies of [[Ludwig van Beethoven]], as well as a part of the works of [[Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart|Mozart]] and [[Joseph Haydn]].


Since the founding of the [[Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava]] in 1949, he also worked as a teacher at this institution until 1976. After his rehabilitation in 1991 he was awarded the title of [[professor]] of this institution.
Since the founding of the [[Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava]] in 1949, he also worked as a teacher at this institution until 1976. After his rehabilitation in 1991 he was awarded the title of [[professor]] of this institution.


Rajter, however, also led a lively musical life with numerous [[concert performance]]s. In the 1980s he was considered the oldest active conductor in the world. Despite his high age, he also received numerous invitations from many important foreign orchestras during this time. The symphonic orchestra of [[Steinamanger]] appointed him in 1991 as the honorary member of the orchestra for life time.
Rajter, however, also led a lively musical life with numerous [[concert performance]]s. In the 1980s he was considered the oldest active conductor in the world. Despite his high age, he also received numerous invitations from many important foreign orchestras during this time. The symphonic orchestra of [[Szombathely]] appointed him in 1991 as the honorary member of the orchestra for life.


=== Death ===
=== Death ===
Rajter died on July 6, 2000, in [[Bratislava]]. His mortal remains were transferred to his native town of [[Pezinok]], where he was buried.
Rajter died on 6 July 2000 in [[Bratislava]]. He is buried in [[Pezinok]].

=== The composer ===
As a composer, Rajter developed his own style. His work has its roots in the Viennese and Budapest composition school. ([[Franz Schmidt]], [[Ernő Dohnányi|Ernst von Dohnányi]], [[Béla Bartók|Béla Bártók]], [[Alexander Albrecht]]). Numerous online recordings of his own work, as well as works by other composers who have performed under his baton, are available on [[YouTube]] and are also available on [[Spotify]].


== Albums ==
== Albums ==
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* Symphonies nos. 1 & 2
* Symphonies nos. 1 & 2
* Zemlinsky: Symphony No. 1 / Das Gläserne Herz
* Zemlinsky: Symphony No. 1 / Das Gläserne Herz
* Copland: Appalachian Spring; Rodeo; Billy the Kid; Fanfare for the Common Man (Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava), conductor: Stephen Gunzenhauser
* Copland: Appalachian Spring; Rodeo; Billy the Kid; Fanfare for the Common Man (Czechoslovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava), conductor: Stephen Gunzenhauser
* The Fantastic Symphony (Episode from an Artist's Life), op. 14 / The Roman Carnival, op. 9
* The Fantastic Symphony (Episode from an Artist's Life), op. 14 / The Roman Carnival, op. 9
* Symphonies nos. 3 & 4 / Piano Concerto no. 1 / Alto Rhapsody
* Symphonies nos. 3 & 4 / Piano Concerto no. 1 / Alto Rhapsody


== Awards ==
== Honors ==
* 1936: Dr.h.c. [[New York College of Music]]
* 1936: Dr.h.c. [[New York College of Music]]
* 1994: Bártók-Pásztory Award (Bártók-Pásztory-Díj)
* 1994: Bártók-Pásztory Award (Bártók-Pásztory-Díj)
* 1997: [[Austrian Decoration for Science and Art|Honorary Cross for Science and Art of the Republic of Austria]], 1st Class
* 1997: [[Austrian Decoration for Science and Art|Honorary Cross for Science and Art of the Republic of Austria]], 1st Class
* 2000: honorary member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts
* 2000: honorary member of the Hungarian Academy of Arts
* 2007: [[Pribina]] Cross of the first class / in memoriam (Pribinov kríž 1. triedy)
* 2007: [[Orders, decorations, and medals of Slovakia#Pribina Cross|Pribina Cross]] of the first class / in memoriam (Pribinov kríž 1. triedy)
* 2017: [[Ján Cikker]] Price in memoriam (cena Jána Cikkera)
* 2017: [[Ján Cikker]] Price in memoriam (cena Jána Cikkera)


==External links==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
* [http://www.osobnosti.sk/ Prof. Dr. h. c. Ľudovít Rajter] (online, slowakisch)
* [http://www.osobnosti.sk/ Prof. Dr. h. c. Ľudovít Rajter] (online, Slovak)
* [http://old.hc.sk/src/osobnost.php?lg=en&oid=25&show=cv Biography, list of works, bibliography, etc]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170808073323/http://old.hc.sk/src/osobnost.php?lg=en&oid=25&show=cv Biography, list of works, bibliography, etc] (archived)
* ''Új szó,'' Bratislava vom 29. Juli 2006 (Ungarisch)
* ''Új szó,'' Bratislava, 29. July 2006 (Hungarian)
* Legendárny dirigent očami syna Adriana: Slávu sme neriešili – Aktuality.sk (Slowakisch), [„Ein legendärer Dirigent mit den Augen seines Sohnes Adrian gesehen“] Interview mit Sohn Adrian Rajter vom 1. August 2010 (www.aktuality.sk)
* Legendárny dirigent očami syna Adriana: Slávu sme neriešili – Aktuality.sk (Slovak), [„A Legendary Conductor Seen Through the Eyes of His Son Adrian“], 1. August 2010 (www.aktuality.sk)
* Mesto Pezinok | Ľudovít Rajter (www.pezinok.sk) (Slowakisch)
* Mesto Pezinok | Ľudovít Rajter (www.pezinok.sk) (Slovak)
* Ľudovít Rajter: Symphonische Werke (CD) – jpc (in [https://www.jpc.de%29/ https://www.jpc.de)/]
* Ľudovít Rajter: Symphonische Werke (CD) – jpc (in [https://www.jpc.de%29/ https://www.jpc.de)/]
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
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[[Category:2000 deaths]]
[[Category:2000 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Pezinok]]
[[Category:People from Pezinok]]
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[[Category:Slovak people of German descent]]
[[Category:Slovak composers]]
[[Category:Slovak composers]]
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[[Category:Slovak male composers]]
[[Category:Hungarian composers]]
[[Category:Hungarian composers]]
[[Category:Hungarian male composers]]
[[Category:Hungarian male composers]]
[[Category:Slovak conductors (music)]]
[[Category:Slovak conductors (music)]]
[[Category:Male conductors (music)]]
[[Category:Hungarian male conductors (music)]]
[[Category:Hungarian conductors (music)]]
[[Category:University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna alumni]]
[[Category:University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century composers]]
[[Category:20th-century composers]]
[[Category:20th-century conductors (music)]]
[[Category:20th-century conductors (music)]]
[[Category:20th-century male musicians]]
[[Category:20th-century Hungarian male musicians]]
[[Category:Slovak male musicians]]

Latest revision as of 04:49, 20 April 2024

The native form of this personal name is Rajter Lajos. This article uses Western name order when mentioning individuals.
Ľudovít Rajter
Ľudovít Rajter, 1975
Born(1906-07-30)30 July 1906
Bazin, Kingdom of Hungary
Died6 July 2000(2000-07-06) (aged 93)
Bratislava, Slovakia
OccupationComposer

Ľudovít Rajter (Hungarian: Rajter Lajos; 30 July 1906 in Bazin, Kingdom of Hungary – 6 July 2000 in Bratislava, Slovakia) was a Hungarian composer and conductor from Slovakia.

Origin[edit]

Rajter's evangelical family had German-Hungarian and Dutch roots. His father worked as a teacher, cantor, and choral conductor in the service of the Lutheran church. Rajter's family came from southern Germany and came to Hungary during the reign of Maria Theresa (c. 1740). In that time the family name was still "Raiter" or "Rayter". Rajter's family spoke three languages: Hungarian, German, and Slovak, and Rajter continued this to the end of his life.

Life[edit]

Professional background[edit]

Rajter received his first musical training from his father Lajos Rajter Sr (1880–1945). He was educated at the Town School for Music in Bratislava with Alexander Albrecht from 1915-1920.[1] In 1924 he enrolled at the Academy of Music and Performing Arts in Vienna. He was taught by the composer Franz Schmidt and Joseph Marx (composition), Clemens Krauss (conductor) and Alexander Wunderer (orchestral conductor). At that time Rajter was also assistant to Clemens Krauss (until 1933).

Hungary[edit]

After studying in Vienna, he moved to the Liszt Ferenc Zeneművészeti Főiskola in 1929, where he became a student of Ernst von Dohnányi. In 1935 he became the first conductor of the Hungarian Radio Orchestra in Budapest. He continued there until 1945. He also worked as a professor at the Academy of Music in Budapest. During this time, Rajter received numerous invitations from major foreign orchestras; numerous works by Béla Bartók and Zoltán Kodály were premiered by him.

Post-war years[edit]

In 1946, Rajter returned to Czechoslovakia and worked until 1949 as chief of the Czecho-Slovak Radio Orchestra in Bratislava. In 1949, he co-founded (together with Václav Talich) the Slovak Philharmonic and became its first conductor. In the Stalinist period, Rajter appeared to be "politically unreliable" to the communist regime of the time, and thus was prohibited from conducting. He was also banned as an "archivist" in the Philharmonic Archives.[clarification needed] It was not until 1953, after Stalin's death, that he was oce again appointed the head of the Slovak Philharmonic Orchestra, where he remained until1961. Ladislav Slovák was given the position of the chief dignitary at that time.

In 1966, Rajter conducted the Masterclass for Conductors at the Mozarteum in Salzburg during the Summer Academy.

In 1968 he returned to the Czecho-Slovak Radio Orchestra, where he worked until his retirement in 1976 as chief conductor.

He conducted all the symphonies of Ludwig van Beethoven, as well as a part of the works of Mozart and Joseph Haydn.

Since the founding of the Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava in 1949, he also worked as a teacher at this institution until 1976. After his rehabilitation in 1991 he was awarded the title of professor of this institution.

Rajter, however, also led a lively musical life with numerous concert performances. In the 1980s he was considered the oldest active conductor in the world. Despite his high age, he also received numerous invitations from many important foreign orchestras during this time. The symphonic orchestra of Szombathely appointed him in 1991 as the honorary member of the orchestra for life.

Death[edit]

Rajter died on 6 July 2000 in Bratislava. He is buried in Pezinok.

Albums[edit]

  • Dvorak: Symphony No. 2 / Legends Op. 59, Nos. 6–10
  • Down The River Hah & Dances From The Hron Region
  • Symphonies nos. 1 & 2
  • Zemlinsky: Symphony No. 1 / Das Gläserne Herz
  • Copland: Appalachian Spring; Rodeo; Billy the Kid; Fanfare for the Common Man (Czechoslovak Radio Symphony Orchestra (Bratislava), conductor: Stephen Gunzenhauser
  • The Fantastic Symphony (Episode from an Artist's Life), op. 14 / The Roman Carnival, op. 9
  • Symphonies nos. 3 & 4 / Piano Concerto no. 1 / Alto Rhapsody

Honors[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Ľudovít Rajter - About Slovak music | Hudobne Centrum". hc.sk. Retrieved 17 April 2024.
  • Prof. Dr. h. c. Ľudovít Rajter (online, Slovak)
  • Biography, list of works, bibliography, etc (archived)
  • Új szó, Bratislava, 29. July 2006 (Hungarian)
  • Legendárny dirigent očami syna Adriana: Slávu sme neriešili – Aktuality.sk (Slovak), [„A Legendary Conductor Seen Through the Eyes of His Son Adrian“], 1. August 2010 (www.aktuality.sk)
  • Mesto Pezinok | Ľudovít Rajter (www.pezinok.sk) (Slovak)
  • Ľudovít Rajter: Symphonische Werke (CD) – jpc (in https://www.jpc.de)/
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