Schmidt, Franz#
Schmidt, Franz, b. Bratislava, Slovakia (then Pressburg), Dec. 22, 1874, d. Perchtoldsdorf (Lower Austria), Feb. 11, 1939. Composer of the late romantic period. Inspired by the work of J. Brahms and A. Bruckner (his teacher). Moved to Vienna in 1888; 1896-1911 cellist with the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra; 1901-1908 cello teacher at the Conservatory in Vienna; from 1914 Professor of Piano, from 1922 Professor of Counterpoint and Composition at the Vienna Music Academy, of which he was principal from 1925 to 1927 and rector from 1927 to 1931. In 1951 the F. S. Society (serial publication "Studien zu F. S.") was founded in Vienna.
Works#
Operas: Notre Dame, 1914 (of which esp. the prelude of the third act is well-known); Fredigundis, 1922. - Oratorio: Das Buch mit den sieben Siegeln, 1935-1937. - 4 symphonies; numerous works for organ and piano as well as chamber music.Literature#
A. Liess, F. S., 1951; C. Nemeth, F. S., 1957; N. Tschulik, F. S., 1972; A. Jirasek, Erinnerungen an F. S., 1975; T. B. Corfield, F. S. (1874-1939), 1989; OeBL.