Erwin Lendvai
[1882-1949]

Erwin Lendvai

Erwin Lendvai (4 June 1882, Budapest – 21/31? March 1949, Epsom) was a Hungarian composer and choral conductor. He was an uncle of the composer Kamilló Lendvay.
Lendvai graduated from National Music Academy of Budapest studying with Hans von Koessler. He also studied with Gioachino Rossini in Milano. From 1906, he lived in Germany starting his teaching career. From 1913 to 1914, he taught at the J.-Dalcroze Institute in Hellerau where he married a photographer Erna Lendvai-Dircksen. From 1914 to 1920, he taught composition at the Klindworth-Scharwenka Conservatory in Berlin and in 1923 choral singing at the Volksmusikschule in Hamburg.
He was also director of a musical society in Koblenz and director of the popular choir of Munich. In 1929, he premiered Arnold Schoenberg's choral work Glück Op. 35, No. 4.
In 1933, he emigrated from Germany due to the Nazi regime and since then he worked as a music teacher in Kenninghall, England. After the war, he led the Györ Conservatory of Music. He became interested in Béla Bartók's music there.
Lendvai wrote one opera Elga (1916, on text by Gerhart Hauptmann), festival music Völkerfreiheit (1930), a Symphony, Archaic dances, Scherzo for orchestra, 3 Pieces for organ Op. 4, chamber music, choral works and songs. Lendvai's choral music influenced many other choral composers.

Source : Wikipedia