Erich Engel (musician)

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Erich Wilhelm Engel (also Erich Engel or Erich W. Engel for short , born on January 13, 1888 in Vienna ; died on December 30, 1955 there ) was an Austrian pianist , conductor and music writer.

Life

Erich Engel was born on January 13, 1888 in Vienna. In 1908 he published his first work as a music writer, in 1911 he appeared as a co-author at his father's publishing house. In 1913 he got his first engagement as a répétiteur at the Deutsche Oper Berlin-Charlottenburg. Between 1914 and 1918 he took part in the First World War as a soldier and was taken prisoner by Russia, from which he did not return until 1919. After his position at the Deutsche Oper Berlin (from 1920 Städtische Oper) was renewed in 1919 , Engel rose to the position of Kapellmeister, dramaturge, study director and musical assistant to Leo Blech and Bruno Walter, among others, and also taught at the Berlin Music Academy.

In 1925 he switched to the Dresden State Opera as head of studies , where he was one of Fritz Busch's most influential employees as an assistant to Fritz Busch . He was regarded as the State Opera's “conscience in musical and artistic matters”. During the years in Dresden, Engel also came into closer contact to Richard Strauss , with whom he was in close contact, especially during the creation of his opera “ Die Schweigsame Frau ”. Around 1930 he married the soprano Edytha Fleischer as a second marriage.

After Fritz Busch was expelled from the Dresden State Opera on March 7, 1933 by an NSDAP factory cell under Alexis Posse , as a result of these events, Erich Engel became Busch on March 9 because of his loyalty, but above all because of his Jewish origin Leave of absence in 1933 and also released on May 18, 1933. Together with Busch, Engel emigrated to Argentina shortly afterwards with his wife and with other artists.

In the following years he worked again at the Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires as head of studies, later as head of the opera school he set up himself. Together with Josef Gielen , Robert Kinsky and Otto Erhardt , he had a lasting influence on the program and the ensemble.

In 1949 his wife took a job as a singing teacher at the Vienna Conservatory. Erich Engel did not return permanently to Europe until 1951. He was hired as head of studies at the Vienna State Opera and also headed the opera studio there. Through the mediation of Hans Knappertsbusch , he was brought to the first post-war festival in Bayreuth in 1951 as director of studies . However, there was no repetition of Engel's commitment in Bayreuth; his successor was Hermann Weigert , who had also returned from exile .

Erich Engel died on December 30, 1955 in Vienna.

Works

  • R. Wagner's life and works in pictures, 1908, (1913 as calendar)
  • J. Strauss and his time, 1911 (as a calendar, so-called angel calendar )
  • WA Mozart's Life and Works in Pictures, 1914 (as calendar).

literature

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Silent voices, p. 122
personal data
SURNAME Engel, Erich
ALTERNATIVE NAMES Engel, Erich Wilhelm (full name); Engel, Erich W.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION Austrian pianist, conductor and music writer
DATE OF BIRTH January 13, 1888
PLACE OF BIRTH Vienna
DATE OF DEATH December 30, 1955
Place of death Vienna