Dorothea Austin facts for kids

Dorothea Austin Banner was a talented musician. She was born in Austria in 1921. She became an American pianist and composer. She was special because she created music using computers and electronic sounds. She lived until 2011.

Biography

Dorothea Blaukopf was born in Vienna, Austria. Her family was Jewish. Even as a child, she was a very good piano player. She performed concerts for people.

Before World War II started, Dorothea had to leave Austria. She went to England on a special train called the Kindertransport. This train helped children find safety. The Red Cross helped organize it. Sadly, her brother and parents did not survive the war.

In England, Dorothea worked in a factory for a while. This helped her support herself. Later, two kind people named Nelly and Rachel Leighton took her in. They were part of a group called the Quakers, who often help others.

Dorothea studied piano in London. She went to the Royal College of Music and the Royal Academy of Music. Her teacher was Tobias Matthay. After her studies, she worked as a concert pianist.

She married Dr. Hermann Augapfel, who was also known as Harry Austin. During the war, he was held in a British camp for foreigners. Dorothea started teaching piano around this time. She continued teaching after she and Harry moved to the United States in 1949. They settled in Valley Stream, Long Island.

The war had interrupted her performing career. So, Dorothea went to Queens College in New York City. There, she studied how to compose music. Her teachers included Leo Kraft and George Perle. She became very interested in electronic music. She learned to compose using a synthesizer.

Dorothea became a successful composer. She also took a job as a professor at Queensborough Community College. She worked there for almost forty years. She even became the head of her department. Dorothea was also a member of the New York Women Composers Association.

After Harry Austin passed away, she married Gerson Banner. Dorothea had three daughters. Her important papers and works are kept at the Queensborough Community College Library.

Selected Works

Here are some of the musical pieces Dorothea Austin Banner composed:

• Transformation for viola, piano and tape (1973)
• Fantasia for piano and orchestra (1984)
• Syndetos for piano (1984)
• Analogy for viola, cello and piano (1985)
• Metamorphosis for cello and piano (1986)
• Reflections I
• Reflections II for high voice, flute (piccolo), oboe (English horn), clarinet, horn and bassoon; words by Stephen Crane