Mahler, Fritz, 1901-1973

Fritz Mahler was an Austro-American conductor, composer, music teacher and radio personality.

Mahler was born on July 16, 1901 in Vienna, where his father was professor of Oriental languages at the university. He came from a family with some musical background; he was a third cousin of the composer Gustav Mahler. He studied musicology with Guido Adler at the University of Vienna (1920-1924), conducting with Leopold Reichwein, and composition with Schoenberg, Webern and Berg. By the time he graduated from the University of Vienna in 1924, Fritz Mahler had already conducted orchestras in Bad Hall (1920-1924), the Vienna Opera, the National Theater in Mannheim, as well as the Volksoper in Vienna. Soon after graduation, Mahler conducted the Berlin Radio Symphony. In 1930, he moved to Copenhagen to conduct the Danish State Symphony Orchestra. Mahler was a permanent conductor for this orchestra from 1930-1935. Invited by the Columbia Broadcasting Company to conduct a series of concerts in New York, Mahler came to the USA in 1935. Shortly after his arrival, he took on duties as musical director of Phildadelphia's La Scala Opera Company. In 1939, Mahler became a United States citizen and married Pauline Koner (a dancer and choreographer).

From 1939-1950, Mahler was associated with the Juilliard Summer School of Music as director of the opera department and teacher of advanced conducting. He also was guest lecturer at Barnard College and Fredonia State Teachers College. From October 1940 to September 1941, Mahler was the Director of Music for the National Youth Administration in New York and from 1947-1953, he was conductor of the Erie (Pa.) Philharmonic orchestra. While he was there, the Philharmonic was cited for its services to American contemporary music. From 1953-1964, Mahler was the conductor of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. He expanded the Orchestra's role in the musical life of Greater Hartford; organizing the Young People's Concerts at the Bushnell and founding the Hartford Little Symphony, the forerunner of today's Hartford Symphony Chamber Orchestra. With the Hartford ensemble, he made several recordings and introduced some important works to American audiences. Mahler's contract in Hartford was not renewed and and from 1964 to 1969, he engaged in musical tours abroad. Fritz Mahler died on June 18, 1973 in Winston-Salem, NC.

Fritz Mahler was born on July 16, 1901 in Vienna, where his father was professor of Oriental languages at the university. Coming from a family with great musical traditions (Fritz is a relative of Gustav Mahler), his talents in music were fostered. He studied musicology with Guido Adler at the University of Vienna (1920-1924), conducting with Leopold Reichwein, and composition with Schoenberg, Anton von Webern and Alban Berg.

By the time he graduated from the University of Vienna in 1924, Fritz Mahler had already conducted in Bad Hall (1920-1924), the Vienna Opera, the National Theater in Mannheim, as well as the Volksoper in Vienna. Soon after graduation, Mahler conducted the Berlin Radio Symphony. In 1930, he moved to Copenhagen to conduct the Danish State Symphony Orchestra. Mahler was a permanent conductor for this orchestra from 1930-1935.

From 1935 to 1947, Mahler experienced major changes in both his private and professional life. Invited by the Columbia Broadcasting Company to conduct a series of concerts in New York, Mahler came to the USA in 1935. Shortly after his arrival, he took on duties as musical director of Philadelphia's La Scala Opera Company. In 1939, Mahler became a United States citizen and married Pauline Koner (renowned dancer and choreographer). From 1939-1950, Mahler was associated with the Juilliard Summer School of Music as director of the opera department and teacher of advanced conducting. He also was guest lecturer at Barnard College and Fredonia State Teachers College. From October 1940 to September 1941, Mr. Mahler was the Director of Music for the National Youth Administration in New York.

From 1947-1953, Fritz Mahler was conductor of the Erie (Pa.) Philharmonic orchestra. Under his leadership, the Erie Philharmonic became nationally known for the many important and interesting works which were performed for the first time in this country. In the October 1951 issue of Musical America, the Philharmonic received special citations for its services to American contemporary music.

From 1953-1964, Mahler was the conductor of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra (HSO). In his effort to expand the Orchestra's role in the musical life of Greater Hartford, Mahler left a lasting legacy on the institution--e.g. the Young People's Concerts he organized at the Bushnell are an HSO tradition and the Hartford Little Symphony, founded during his first season, was a forerunner of today's Hartford Symphony Chamber Orchestra. With the Hartford ensemble, he made several recordings and introduced some important works to American audiences.

Fritz Mahler's contract with the HSO was not renewed and so he chose to explore conducting assignments in Europe, Asia and South America. From 1964 to 1969, he engaged in these musical tours abroad.

Fritz Mahler died on June 18, 1973 in Winston-Salem, NC.