Johanna Müller-Hermann facts for kids

Johanna Müller-Hermann (born January 15, 1878 – died April 19, 1941) was an Austrian composer and teacher. She created many pieces of music and also taught others how to compose.

Her Life and Music

After she got married, Johanna stopped being a primary school teacher. Instead, she decided to focus on becoming a composer. She learned from famous musicians like Alexander von Zemlinsky and Josef Foerster. Later, in 1918, she even took over from Foerster as a teacher herself. She taught music theory and composition at the New Vienna Conservatory.

Johanna Müller-Hermann was considered one of the most important female composers in Europe during her time. She was especially known for her orchestral music (music for a large group of instruments) and chamber music (music for a small group of instruments).

Even though she was famous back then, not much has been written about her today. Dr Carola Darwin explains that many women's contributions to Vienna's creative life during that time were forgotten. This happened because of historical events, including World War II. Dr. Darwin believes that Johanna Müller-Hermann's music deserves to be heard more widely. Her works are not only good quality but also an important part of Vienna's amazing artistic period.

Her Compositions

Müller-Hermann wrote an oratorio called Lied der Erinnerung: In Memoriam. An oratorio is a large musical piece for an orchestra, choir, and solo singers, usually telling a story. This one used words by the poet Walt Whitman. She also wrote a symphonic fantasy based on the play Brand by Henrik Ibsen.

Her Lied der Erinnerung: In Memoriam (from 1930) is a very big and impressive work. It uses a large orchestra, a choir, and solo voices. This piece is similar in style to Gurre-Lieder by Arnold Schoenberg, another famous composer. Müller-Hermann might have known Schoenberg personally, as she wrote a letter to him in 1911.

Vocal Music

Johanna Müller-Hermann wrote many pieces for solo voices, often with piano or orchestra. These are called Lieder, which means "songs" in German.

• Sieben Lieder, op. 1 (seven songs for solo voice and piano)
• Fünf Lieder, op. 2 (five songs for solo voice and piano)
• Zwei Frauenchöre mit Orchester, op. 10 (two pieces for women's choir and orchestra)
• Vier Lieder, op. 14 (four songs dedicated to Alma Mahler-Werfel)
• Zwei Gesänge für eine Singstimme mit Orchester, op. 33 (two songs for one voice with orchestra)

Cantatas

• Lied der Erinnerung, op. 30 (This is the large oratorio mentioned earlier.)

Chamber Music

Chamber music is written for a small group of instruments, often played in a smaller room or "chamber."

• Streichquartett Es-Dur, op. 6 (a string quartet, which is for four string instruments like violins and cellos)

Orchestral Music

These are pieces written for a full orchestra.

• Heroische Overtüre, op. 21 (a heroic overture, which is an introductory piece)
• Epilog zu einer Tragödie: "Brand", op. 25 (an epilogue, or concluding piece, for the play "Brand")

Sonatas

Sonatas are musical pieces usually for one or two instruments.

• Sonate d-Moll für Violine und Klavier, op. 5 (a sonata for violin and piano)
• Clavier-Sonate in f-moll, op. 6 (a sonata for piano)
• Sonate für Violoncello und Klavier, op. 17 (a sonata for cello and piano)