Graener, Paul
Graener, Paul
Graener, Paul, significant German composer; b. Berlin, Jan. 11, 1872; d. Salzburg, Nov. 13, 1944. He studied composition with Albert Becker at the Veit Cons, in Berlin. He traveled in Germany as a theater conductor; in 1896 he went to London, where he taught at the Royal Academy of Music (1897-1902). He was then in Vienna as a teacher at the Neues Konservatorium; subsequently directed the Mozarteum in Salzburg (1910-13); after serving as prof. of composition at the Leipzig Cons. (1920-25), he was director of the Stern Cons, in Berlin (1930-33); thereafter he was vice-president of the Reichsmusikkamer (1933-41). His many songs reveal a penchant for folk-like melodies. His other works follow along traditional Romantic lines with some neo- Baroque aspects.
Works
DRAMATIC Opera : Don Juans letztes Abenteuer (Leipzig, June 11, 1914); Theophano (Munich, June 5, 1918); Schirin und Gertraude (Dresden, April 28, 1920); Hanneles Himmelfahrt (Dresden, Feb. 17, 1927); Friedemann Bach (Schwerin, Nov. 13, 1931); Der Prinz von Homburg (Berlin, March 14, 1935); Schwanhild (Cologne, Jan. 4, 1941). ORCH.: Sym.; Romantische Phantasie; Waldmusik; Gothische Suite; Piano Concerto; Cello Concerto. CHAMBER: 6 string quartets; Piano Quintet; 3 violin sonatas.
Bibliography
G. Graener, P. G. (Leipzig, 1922); P. Grümmer, Verzeichnis der Werke P. G.s (Berlin, 1937).
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire