Mathilde Kralik facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Mathilde Kralik
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Mathilde Kralik von Meyrswalden
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| Background information | |
| Born | December 3, 1857 Linz, Austrian Empire |
| Died | 8 March 1944 (aged 86) Vienna, Alpine and Danube Reichsgaue, Greater German Reich |
| Genres | Classical |
| Occupation(s) | Composer |
Mathilde Aloisia Kralik von Meyrswalden (born December 3, 1857, in Linz – died March 8, 1944) was an important Austrian composer. She wrote many different types of music, including operas, songs, and pieces for orchestras.
Mathilde Kralik's Early Life
Mathilde Kralik was born in Linz, a city in Austria. Her father, William Kralik von Meyrswalden, owned a glass factory. He was a very successful businessman. Mathilde was one of five children from her father's second marriage. Her brother, Richard Kralik, was a famous writer and philosopher.
A Musical Family
Music was a big part of the Kralik family's life. Mathilde's father played the violin, and her mother, Louise, played the piano. This meant the children grew up listening to classical music. They heard works by famous composers like Haydn, Mozart, and Beethoven. Mathilde's parents quickly saw that she had a special gift for music. Because her father was wealthy, Mathilde could learn from the best music teachers.
Learning to Compose
Mathilde first took piano lessons from her mother. Later, she studied with very important teachers. These included Anton Bruckner, a famous composer, and Julius Epstein, a well-known pianist. In 1876, Mathilde passed the entrance exam for the Conservatory of the Society of Friends of Music. She studied there from 1876 to 1878.
During her studies, Mathilde showed great talent. She won second prize for a piece called Scherzo for piano quintet. She also won first prize for her final project, Intermezzo from a suite. Mathilde graduated with a special diploma in composition. She also received the Silver Society Medal, a high honor.
Mathilde Kralik's Career
After her studies, Mathilde Kralik's music became quite popular in Austria. Her compositions were performed in important concert halls. For example, her works were played at the Brahms-Saal of the Musikverein in Vienna in 1894 and 1895. In 1900, her piece The Baptism of Christ was performed in the Great Hall of the Musikverein. Her Christmas Cantata was also performed there.
Important Roles and Later Life
Mathilde was an important figure in the music world. She was the Honorary President of the Women's Choir Association Vienna. She was also a member of several other musical and artistic groups. These included the Vienna Bach community and the Austrian Composers.
In 1905, Mathilde's mother passed away. This made it hard for Mathilde to compose for about six months. From 1912 onwards, she lived in Vienna with Alice Scarlat.
Opera and Challenges
One of Mathilde's most famous works was her fairy-tale opera, Blume und Weissblume. This opera was performed in Hagen in 1910 and in Bielsko in 1912. It became very popular, partly because of a surprising event. Another composer, Nicasius Schusser, copied 52 pages of music from Mathilde's opera for his own work. Mathilde spoke out about this in the newspapers. However, she decided not to take him to court.
After World War I, Mathilde Kralik's music became less popular. She passed away in Vienna on March 8, 1944.
Mathilde Kralik's Works
Mathilde Kralik composed many different kinds of music. Here are some of her selected works:
Songs with Instruments
- Autumn feeling, with text by JW von Goethe, 1892
- Fantasia in E minor (for voice, piano, and violin), with text by Kurt Erich Rotter, 1928
Songs with Piano
- Litany of Loreto, words by her brother Richard, 1898
- The rosary, words by her brother Richard, 1898
- The love bridge, a ballad, words by her brother Richard, 1896
- Empress Zita song, text by Heinrich Ritter Turzansky, 1918
- Vivat Austria, text by Josef von Eichendorff, 1908
- Dragoon song, text by Theodor Lehnstorff, 1914
Operas
- Blume und Weissblume, a fairy play in three acts. The story was written by her brother Richard. It was performed in Hagen in 1910 and Bielsko-Biala in 1912.
- Unter der Linde, a short opera in one act with text by her brother Richard. This opera was never performed.
- Der heilige Gral (The Holy Grail), music for a dramatic poem by her brother Richard in three acts. Premiered in 1912.
Oratorios
- Pfingsfeier, a religious oratorio. Text by PW Schmidt, 1925/26.
- St. Leopold, with text by her brother Richard. Premiered in Klosterneuburg in 1933.
Orchestral Works
- Fest-Ouverture in G major, January 1897
- Fest-Ouverture Charlemagne in Vienna, June 1906
- Violin Concerto in D minor (composed in 1936-1937)
Solo Piano Works
- Round in January 1882
- Piano Sonata in F minor (first movement, like a Rhapsody) 1895
- Prelude, Passacaglia and Fugato
- Polonaise
- Schubert homage march, 1928
Solo Organ Works
- Interlude
- Festival March, 1907
- Offertory in E-flat major, 1907
Vocal Music (A Cappella)
- The spirit of love, text by Nathalie Duchess of Oldenburg, 1903
- Spring is coming, music and text by Mathilde
- Ms Nightingale, 1931
Chamber Music
- Sonata (for violin and piano), 1878
- Trio (for piano, violin, and cello), 1880
- Fantasy (for piano and cello), January 1929
- Sonnet (for clarinet, bassoon, and horn) 1912
- German Dances from the eastern provinces (for two clarinets, cello, and viola) 1943
Religious Music
- Mass in B-flat major (parts include Introit, Gradual, Offertory, Communion), 1903
- Ave Maria, for 4 female voices, 1936
- You blissful sunny world, (for choir and soloists with piano) Text: FW Weber
Cantatas
- Volkers watch (the watch on the Danube), a festive song for soloists and choir with text by her brother Richard, 1907/1908
Melodramas (Spoken Voice and Piano)
- Luke, the physician, with text by her brother Richard, 1895
- Prinzesslein in Vierblattklee, text by E. Reimer-Ironside, June 1912
- Joan of Arc's death march, text by Alice Baroness von Gaudy, 1920
