Max Bruch

The German composer, Max Bruch (born in Cologne, on 6 January, 1838; died in Friedenau, on 2 October, 1920) studied with Hiller and Reinecke and had some success with his cantata Frithjof Op.23 (1864) before taking posts in Koblenz, Sondershausen, Liverpool and Breslau. Official recognition came in 1891 when he became professor at the Berlin Academy. Although he composed three operas, his talent lay in epic expression; during his lifetime the secular choral works Odysseus and Das Feuerkreuz, with their solid choral writing and tuneful style, sometimes showing affinities with folk music, were considered particularly significant. Only his violin concertos (especially the appealing No.1 in G minor), the Scottish Fantasy for violin and orchestra and the Kol Nidrei for cello and orchestra Op.47 have remained in the repertory.