Karl Amadeus Hartmann

Karl Amadeus Hartmann (August 2, 1905 Munich – December 5, 1963 Munich) was a German composer. Some have lauded him as the greatest German symphonist of the 20th century.

Related Topics:
August 2 - 1905 - December 5 - 1963 - German - Composer - Symphonist

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Hartmann studied at the Munich Academy in the 1920s. He voluntarily withdrew completely from musical life in Germany during the Nazi era, while remaining in Germany, and refused to allow his works to be played there. An early work, Miserae (1935) was condemned by the Nazi regime; but his work continued to be performed, and his fame grew, abroad. During the war he became a pupil of Anton Webern.

Related Topics:
Munich Academy - 1920s - Nazi - 1935 - Anton Webern

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After the war he finished a number of fine works, most notably eight symphonies.

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Hartmann's style is eclectic. In the earlier works, the influence of Mahler and Bruckner is evident, as well as the contrapuntal idiom of Max Reger. Later, he adopted some stylistic traits of the neoclassical composers such as Paul Hindemith, and middle-period Stravinsky. Although he studied with Webern, and understood Schoenberg, the influence of Berg is more pronounced in his work than either of the other two members of the Second Viennese School.

Related Topics:
Mahler - Bruckner - Max Reger - Paul Hindemith - Stravinsky - Schoenberg - Berg - Second Viennese School

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