Robert Heger, German conductor and composer (b. 1886)

Robert Heger (19 August 1886 – 14 January 1978) was a distinguished German conductor and composer, born in Strasbourg, a city then part of Alsace-Lorraine. His extensive career spanned over six decades, leaving a significant mark on the classical music landscape through his leadership of major orchestras and operatic productions across Europe, as well as his notable recordings and compositions.

Early Life and Formative Musical Training

Heger's musical journey began with rigorous training at prestigious institutions. He first honed his skills at the Conservatory of Strasbourg, where he studied under the esteemed Franz Stockhausen, a prominent conductor and a member of a renowned musical family, whose influence helped shape Heger's foundational understanding of orchestral direction. His education continued in Zurich under Lothar Kempter, a Swiss composer and conductor known for his Romantic-era works, and culminated in Munich with Max von Schillings. Schillings, a celebrated composer of operas and a respected conductor, served as a crucial mentor, imparting advanced techniques in both composition and conducting that would define Heger's professional approach.

Rising Through the Ranks: Early Conducting Engagements

After initial conducting engagements in his native Strasbourg, Heger made his professional debut in Ulm in either 1908 or 1909. This pivotal moment launched a series of significant appointments across Germany and Austria. He served in Barmen (1909), then at the Vienna Volksoper (1911), an important house for operetta and popular opera. By 1913, he took up a position in Nuremberg, where his responsibilities extended beyond opera to include conducting prestigious Philharmonic concerts, showcasing his versatility in both operatic and symphonic repertoire.

From Vienna to Munich: Growing Stature and Landmark Recordings

Heger's career continued its upward trajectory with key posts in major musical centers such as Munich and Vienna. It was during this period that he made a truly remarkable contribution to recorded music: a "magnificent version" of Karl Goldmark's Rustic Wedding Symphony with the world-renowned Vienna Philharmonic. This recording, made in the early days of orchestral recording, is celebrated for its lush interpretation of Goldmark's programmatic and melodious symphony, solidifying Heger's reputation as a masterful interpreter of the Romantic repertoire.

The Berlin Years (1933-1950)

From 1933 to 1950, Heger held a prominent position in Berlin, a period marked by profound political and historical upheaval in Germany. His tenure there saw the preservation of a notable live wartime performance of Richard Wagner's Lohengrin, a recording that despite the tumultuous circumstances, was later issued on LP, providing invaluable insight into wartime musical life. Following his extensive service in Berlin, Heger eventually returned to Munich.

A Historic Premiere: Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand

One of the most significant moments in Heger's career occurred in 1932, when he conducted the world premiere of Maurice Ravel's challenging Piano Concerto for the Left Hand. This landmark event took place with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, featuring the extraordinary one-armed pianist Paul Wittgenstein as the soloist. Wittgenstein, who lost his right arm in World War I, commissioned this unique concerto from Ravel, seeking to expand the repertoire for left-hand only piano. Interestingly, the legendary conductor Arturo Toscanini had initially been invited by Ravel to conduct the premiere but declined, reportedly due to scheduling conflicts or a preference for more traditional repertoire, making Heger's involvement all the more historically noteworthy.

The War Years: Affiliation and the Fateful Final Concert

In 1937, Robert Heger joined the Nazi Party, a decision that, like for many prominent figures in wartime Germany, remains a subject of historical scrutiny and discussion regarding the complex choices artists faced under totalitarian regimes. A particularly poignant and historically significant event in his career was his conducting of one of the final concerts of the Berlin Philharmonic on 12 April 1945. This extraordinary concert took place at the war-damaged Berlin Philharmonic Hall, just four days before the Soviet Red Army commenced the brutal Battle of Berlin. The program featured emotionally charged works, including Richard Wagner's "Brünnhilde's Immolation" (the last aria from Götterdämmerung) and its powerful finale, Ludwig van Beethoven's Violin Concerto, and Anton Bruckner's monumental Romantic Symphony. In attendance were high-ranking Nazi officials, including Albert Speer, Hitler's chief architect and Minister of Armaments, and Grand Admiral Karl Dönitz, who would briefly succeed Hitler as head of state. Eyewitness accounts and historical records confirm a chilling detail: as the audience departed the building, members of the Hitler Youth offered cyanide capsules, a horrifying gesture that even shocked Albert Speer and underscored the regime's desperate and nihilistic end.

Post-War Comeback and International Recognition

Despite the complexities of his wartime involvement, Heger's international career continued. He held a significant association with the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, in London, conducting there from 1925 to 1935. He made a notable return in 1953, leading his Munich company in the first London performance of Richard Strauss's exquisite final opera, Capriccio. This marked a major cultural exchange and showcased Heger's continued mastery of the operatic stage.

Later Years, Stereo Recordings, and Lasting Legacy

Robert Heger continued to be an active and influential figure in the classical music world well into his later years. He embraced the advent of stereo recording technology, which allowed for a richer and more spatially accurate reproduction of orchestral sound. Among his later acclaimed recordings was a fine rendition of Franz Schubert's complete incidental music for Rosamunde in the 1960s, praised for its clarity and interpretive depth. Heger remained active until his death at the age of 91 in Munich on 14 January 1978, leaving behind a vast discography and a legacy as a versatile and dedicated musician.

Frequently Asked Questions About Robert Heger

Who was Robert Heger?
Robert Heger was a prominent German conductor and composer who had a career spanning over six decades, known for his work in both opera houses and concert halls across Europe, and for his significant contributions to early orchestral recordings.
What were some of Robert Heger's most notable conducting achievements?
Among his many achievements, Heger conducted the world premiere of Maurice Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand with Paul Wittgenstein, made a celebrated recording of Goldmark's Rustic Wedding Symphony with the Vienna Philharmonic, and conducted the first London performance of Richard Strauss's Capriccio.
What was Robert Heger's involvement during the Nazi era?
Robert Heger joined the Nazi Party in 1937. He famously conducted one of the last concerts of the Berlin Philharmonic on 12 April 1945, just days before the Battle of Berlin, a historically chilling event attended by high-ranking Nazi officials and remembered for the offering of cyanide capsules to the audience.
Where did Robert Heger receive his musical education?
Heger studied at the Conservatory of Strasbourg, then in Zurich under Lothar Kempter, and finally in Munich under the notable composer and conductor Max von Schillings.
Did Robert Heger make any recordings?
Yes, Robert Heger made numerous recordings throughout his career, including a highly regarded version of Goldmark's Rustic Wedding Symphony with the Vienna Philharmonic and a complete stereo recording of Schubert's Rosamunde incidental music in the 1960s.