Was Alexander Zemlinsky merely a shadow, cast by the brilliance of his more famous contemporaries? Not at all. Here stands the Alexander Zemlinsky monument. It honors a composer, conductor and teacher. His life intertwined with Vienna’s rich musical tapestry.
Alexander Zemlinsky’s story began in Leopoldstadt. This Viennese district was home to many Jewish families. His father worked at the local Sephardic synagogue. There, young Alexander experienced music in the choir. He was born on October 14, 1871. His diverse family background shaped his unique perspective.
At 13, Alexander enrolled in the Konservatorium der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde. He excelled there and graduated in 1892. His early compositions showed the influence of Johannes Brahms. Later, Gustav Mahler became his mentor.
Zemlinsky’s friendship with Arnold Schönberg is particularly noteworthy. They met around 1895. Zemlinsky gave Schönberg composition lessons. In 1901, Schönberg married Zemlinsky’s sister Mathilde. This solidified their bond. Zemlinsky introduced Schönberg to Vienna’s musical scene. He revised Schönberg’s works and even conducted some.
Zemlinsky’s career was diverse. He conducted a synagogue choir early on. In 1895, he founded the amateur orchestra Polyhymnia. Schönberg played cello there. Apparently, he played “equally falsely and passionately”.
In 1900, Zemlinsky became Kapellmeister at the Carltheater. He disliked operettas but gained valuable experience. Later, he worked at the Volksoper and Theater an der Wien. In 1907, Gustav Mahler hired him for the Wiener Hofoper.
His personal life was also complex. He fell in love with Alma Schindler in 1900. She was his composition student. However, she ended the relationship and married Gustav Mahler in 1902. This deeply affected Zemlinsky. He later married Ida Guttmann in 1907. After her death, he married Luise Sachsel in 1930.
In 1911, Zemlinsky moved to Prague. He became the director of the Neues deutsches Theater. He achieved great success there. His inaugural performance was Beethoven’s Fidelio. It met with great enthusiasm. He conducted around 60 opera performances over 16 years. Zemlinsky championed Mozart and contemporary composers.
His time in Prague was fruitful. He also taught at the Deutsche Akademie für Musik und darstellende Kunst. He co-founded the Prague branch of the Verein für musikalische Privataufführungen. This promoted contemporary music.
In 1927, Zemlinsky left Prague. He joined the Krolloper in Berlin. However, the rise of the Nazi party cast a dark shadow. In 1933, he fled to Vienna. With no official position, he focused on composing.
The situation worsened. In 1938, Zemlinsky and his family escaped to New York. They fled via Prague. They were forced to pay a hefty “Reich Flight Tax”. This was imposed on Jews.
Despite Artur Bodanzky’s support, Zemlinsky struggled in the United States. He suffered strokes and his health declined. Zemlinsky died in Larchmont, New York, in 1942. In 1985, his ashes were returned to Vienna. He was buried at the Vienna Central Cemetery.
Zemlinsky’s musical legacy is significant. He bridged late Romanticism and modernist styles. His Lyric Symphony is his best-known work. It influenced Alban Berg. Other notable works include the opera Der Zwerg and the orchestral fantasy Die Seejungfrau.
Standing here, remember Alexander Zemlinsky. He was not merely a footnote in musical history. He was a vital force. He shaped the musical landscape of Vienna and beyond. His music deserves to be heard and appreciated.