Alexander Zemlinsky: a lyric symphony

Abstract

From Zemlinsky's early success as a composer and widely recognized achievements as a conductor to his eventual descent into obscurity, this new biography places Zemlinsky (1871-1942) against the backdrops of Vienna, Prague and Berlin and illuminates his relationships with figures like Johannes Brahms, Alma Schindler, Gustav Mahler and Arnold Schoenberg. Moskovitz's exploration of Zemlinsky's songs, operas, choral works, chamber music and symphonic compositions follows the composer's search for a distinctly personal sound, revealing an artist caught up in the music of his time yet unwilling to abandon his 19th century roots. Alexander Zemlinsky: A Lyric Symphony includes an Afterword by conductor James Conlon and a complete discography of Zemlinsky recordings. MARC D. MOSKOVITZ is principal cellist of the ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, Ohio and has written for various music journals and the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians.