Born in Prague, June 8, 1894
Died in Wülzburg, Aug 18, 1942
- Erwin [pronounced “air-vin”] Schulhoff was a Jewish Czech composer and pianist of German descent.
- Schulhoff was a piano prodigy who, upon the recommendation of Dvořák, was encouraged to pursue a musical career. In his formal studies, Schulhoff encountered many established composers of the day and was inspired by everyone from Schumann and Brahms to Debussy and Scriabin. His overall training was varied and thorough, setting Schulhoff up for what should have been a long, fruitful career.
- In 1914, Schulhoff was conscripted into the Austrian army, where he spent four years. The experience proved to be one of significant disillusionment for the composer, not only shifting his political sentiment (he soon after became a passionate socialist) but also shifting his musical style.
- Before WWI, Schulhoff wrote in a late romantic style. After his experience on the battlefront, he turned toward Expressionism, Dadaism, and neo-classical style, eventually embracing avant-garde.
- Fun fact – Schulhoff was one of the first European composers to embrace Jazz.
- Schulhoff wrote many works for unusual combinations, such as Hot Sonata for saxophone and piano, Sonata Erotica for solo voice “imitating coital sighs and cries,” and a concertino for flute, viola, and double bass.
- Before WWI, Schulhoff wrote in a late romantic style. After his experience on the battlefront, he turned toward Expressionism, Dadaism, and neo-classical style, eventually embracing avant-garde.
- Schulhoff’s tragic demise played a large role in nearly erasing the composer’s music from history. Despite (unsuccessfully) attempting to emigrate to the Soviet Union, Schulhoff was arrested and imprisoned in 1941, eventually being deported to a concentration camp in Wülzburg, Bavaria, where he died only a few months later.1
Learn More
Biography via The OREL Foundation
Sources
- Josef Bek, “Schulhoff, Erwin,” Grove Music Online (2001), accessed April 17, 2024, https://www.oxfordmusiconline.com/grovemusic/view/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.001.0001/omo-9781561592630-e-0000025128.