Julius Schloss was born in Saarlouis, Germany on May 3, 1902 and studied composition at the Hoch Conservatory in Frankfurt. He continued his education in Vienna under Alban Berg and over time emerged as one of Berg's able assistants, editor and friend. Schloss oversaw the editorial work on Berg's opera Wozzeck and his Lyrische Suite for string quartet. During this time, Schloss composed several works, including his first string quartet, a sonata for piano, and a requiem for chorus and percussion for which he received the Emil-Hertzka Gedächnis prize in 1933. By the late 1930s, Schloss's Jewish heritage put him at great risk under the Hitler regime. After being briefly interned at the Dachau concentration camp in 1938, Schloss immigrated to Shanghai. In 1948, he left China for the United States, settling in Belleville, New Jersey where he obtained citizenship in 1954. In spite of his early European success, Schloss was unable to secure a teaching position or editorial work. His compositions were occasionally performed with support from long-time friend and pianist Karl Steiner. Schloss continued to compose until his death on October 26, 1973.
From the description of Julius Schloss Collection. 1920-1973. (McGill University Library - Humanities and Social Sciences Library). WorldCat record id: 706105179
