Donna Diana: Overture

Donna Diana: Overture · Leonard Bernstein · Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek · New York Philharmonic Orchestra

Donna Diana: Overture

Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek - His Music and His Life

The Austrian Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek was born in Vienna on May 4, 1860 and came from an officer family. At first, von Reznicek studied jurisprudence, but later "music" in Graz/Austria and Leipzig/Germany.

He became theatre bandmaster, military conductor as well as royal court bandmaster in German towns such as Weimar and Mannheim.

In 1902, von Reznicek started his composer life in Berlin with five symphonies, several symphonic poems, uncounted orchestral works, eight operas and the operetta "Die Angst vor der Ehe" ("Marriage Fear"). Out of his operas "Donna Diana" (in a new arrangement from 1933) remainded as most successful - though the overture is really the best classical piece.

Emil Nikolaus von Reznicek passed away in Berlin on August 2, 1945.