Berthold Goldschmidt, German pianist and composer (d. 1996)

Berthold Goldschmidt (18 January 1903 – 17 October 1996) was a distinguished German Jewish composer whose remarkable life and career spanned much of the 20th century, culminating in a profound late-life resurgence of his music. Though born and initially trained in Germany, he spent the vast majority of his professional life and exile in England, becoming a significant, albeit for many years overlooked, figure in British musical life.

The trajectory of Goldschmidt's creative output was severely impacted by two primary forces. Firstly, the brutal suppression of his work by the Nazi regime in Germany, which condemned his music as "degenerate" (entartete Musik) due to his Jewish heritage and the perceived modernism of his early compositions. This official ban, imposed as early as 1933, forced him to emigrate to London in 1935, severing his ties with his homeland and its vibrant musical scene.

Beyond the political persecution, Goldschmidt faced a second, equally challenging obstacle: the widespread disdain from many influential Modernist critics, particularly in the post-war era. His steadfast commitment to a richly melodic, expressive, and fundamentally tonal idiom was often dismissed as "anachronistic" in an age increasingly dominated by atonalism, serialism, and other avant-garde movements championed by figures like Arnold Schoenberg or Pierre Boulez. Goldschmidt maintained that music should communicate directly and emotionally, a perspective that ran counter to prevailing aesthetic trends. This critical neglect, combined with the earlier Nazi suppression, effectively stranded the composer in what he himself referred to as a "wilderness" for many decades. During this extended period, despite his talent, opportunities for performances and commissions were exceedingly rare, forcing him to largely withdraw from composing large-scale works and instead earn a living through conducting and working for the BBC.

Remarkably, after years of obscurity, Berthold Goldschmidt experienced a profound and well-deserved revival in his final decade, beginning in the 1980s. This resurgence of interest allowed a new generation of musicians and audiences to discover the depth and originality of his scores, many of which had lain dormant for half a century. Key moments in this rediscovery included the long-overdue premiere of his opera, Der gewaltige Hahnrei (The Magnificent Cuckold), originally composed in 1930, at the Komische Oper Berlin in 1992, and the enthusiastic advocacy of conductors like Simon Rattle. Major record labels, notably Decca, also played a crucial role by releasing recordings of his orchestral works and operas, bringing his unique musical voice to a global audience. This late recognition affirmed his status as a significant voice within 20th-century music, bridging the gap between late-Romanticism and a more accessible modernism.

Frequently Asked Questions About Berthold Goldschmidt

Who was Berthold Goldschmidt?

Berthold Goldschmidt was a distinguished German Jewish composer and conductor (1903-1996) who, despite early promise in Germany, spent most of his life in England after fleeing Nazi persecution. He is now celebrated for his unique lyrical and expressive musical style, which remained tonal even as many contemporaries embraced atonality.

Why was his music suppressed?

His music was officially suppressed by Nazi Germany as "degenerate music" (entartete Musik) due to his Jewish heritage. This ban profoundly impacted his career and forced his emigration from Germany in 1935.

What does "anachronistic lyricism" mean in the context of his music?

This term was used by some critics to describe Goldschmidt's musical style, which maintained a strong emphasis on melody, emotional expression, and tonal harmony. In the mid-20th century, many leading critics and composers favored atonal or serial music, viewing Goldschmidt's more traditional approach as out of step with the "progress" of modern music. His commitment to clarity and expressive communication was seen by some as unfashionable.

When did Berthold Goldschmidt's musical revival begin?

His significant musical revival began in the 1980s, largely propelled by recordings and belated premieres of his major works, such as his opera Der gewaltige Hahnrei, which finally received its stage premiere in 1992, over 60 years after its composition.