Max Bruch

Max Bruch was a German Romantic composer, violinist, teacher, and conductor who wrote more than 200 works, including three violin concertos, the first of which has become a prominent staple of the standard violin repertoire. He received his early musical training under the composer and pianist Ferdinand Hiller, to whom Robert Schumann dedicated his Piano Concerto in A minor. He wrote his first composition at the age of nine, a song for his mother's birthday. He studied philosophy and art in Bonn before pursuing a career as a musician. He held various musical posts in Germany, such as Mannheim, Koblenz, Sondershausen, Berlin, and Bonn. He also spent three seasons as conductor of the Liverpool Philharmonic Society in England. He taught composition at the Berlin Hochschule für Musik from 1890 until his retirement in 1910. His notable students included the Italian composer Ottorino Respighi and the American pianist Rudolph Reuter. He married Clara Tuczek, a singer whom he had met on tour in Berlin, in 1881. They had two children: Max Felix, who became an architect, and Ottilie, who became a singer like her mother. Bruch died of heart failure in Berlin-Friedenau in 1920. He was buried at the Old St. Matthäus churchyard in Berlin-Schöneberg. His grave is marked by a simple stone with his name and dates. His music is characterized by lyrical melodies, rich harmonies, and expressive orchestration. He was influenced by folk music, especially from Scotland and the Jewish tradition. He is best known for his Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26, which he composed in 1866 and revised several times until 1868. It is one of the most popular violin concertos in the repertoire and has been recorded by many famous violinists. His other works include two more violin concertos, Kol Nidrei for cello and orchestra, Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra, eight symphonies, three operas, choral works, chamber music, and solo piano pieces.¹²