Hanns Eisler

Hanns Eisler – born Johannes Eisler on July 6, 1898 in Leipzig, Saxony – is a composer best known for composing the national anthem of East German, his work with playwright/poet Bertolt Brecht, and his movie scores. His family relocated to Vienna, Austria when he was young and Eisler immersed himself in music. In 1918, after serving two years in the military during the first World War, he began studying composition at the Vienna Conservatory. In 1919, he began studying under Austrian-born composer Arnold Schoenberg. Differences in their approaches to music eventually led to an acrimonious split. Eisler moved to Berlin and immersed himself in experimental music, theater and film. Adapting a strong political stance and allowing jazz and cabaret influences into his compositions, he began collaborating with Brecht. Eisler composed music for several Brecht plays including The Decision (1930), The Mother (1932), and Schweik in the Second World War (1957). The duo’s “Solidarity Song” became an anthem sung during street protests. Beginning in 1933, Eisler and Brecht’s work was outlawed by the Nazi Party and the two went into exile. Eisler traveled through Europe and ended up emigrating to the United States in 1938. He composed eight Hollywood film scores – Hangmen Also Die! and None but the Lonely Heart received Oscar nominations – and music for independent films. His career in the U.S. came to an abrupt halt when he was blacklisted by Hollywood and accused of being a Soviet agent – he was deported in 1948. He traveled to London, Vienna, and Prague before settling in East Berlin. Between 1948 and 1961, Eisler – often working with Brecht and other playwrights - wrote prolifically for theatrical productions, feature films and documentaries. In 1949, the Soviet occupation zone of Allied-occupied Germany became a socialist stat. Poet – and future Minister of Culture – Johannes R. Becher wrote lyrics for their new anthem – entitled “Auferstanden aus Ruinen” – and Eisler provided the music. His collaborations with Brecht continued until the playwright’s death in 1956. Eisler’s health declined and on September 6, 1962, Hanns Eisler died of a heart attack. His music and recordings have been reissued numerous times over the years on various compilations including Die Tage Der Commune (1962), Kammermusik Aus Dem Exil (1973), and Frühe Kammermusik (1973).

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