Bendix, Victor Emanuel

views updated

BENDIX, VICTOR EMANUEL

BENDIX, VICTOR EMANUEL (1851–1926), pianist, conductor, and composer. Born in Copenhagen, the brother of the pianist Otto *Bendix, Victor Bendix studied at the Copenhagen Conservatory with composer Niels Gade and as a pianist with, among others, Liszt (from 1881). He was répétiteur at the Copenhagen Royal Theater and later piano teacher at the Royal Academy of Music. Bendix was an excellent conductor, and in this role he made great contributions to the musical life of Copenhagen. He was the conductor of the choral society, which he founded in Copenhagen (1872–76), and of the Copenhagen Philharmonic Concerts (which he established in 1897). His concert performances of Siegfried and Tristan und Isolde and his staged performances of Verdi's Don Carlos were welcome innovations in the usual repertory of the Copenhagen Musical Society. From 1892 to 1893 he conducted the Volkskonzerte in Berlin. Bendix wrote many songs but his important works were his compositions for the piano; among them are Piano Trio op. 12, Piano Concerto op. 17, and Piano Sonata op. 26. He also composed Psalm 33 for chorus and orchestra and four symphonies.

bibliography:

Grove online.

[Israela Stein (2nd ed.)]