Max Vogrich

Max Wilhelm Carl Vogrich was born on 24 January 1852 in Hermannstadt (then part of the Austrian Empire, now Sibiu in Romania). He began learning the piano at the age of five and showed such remarkable talent that he appeared on stage at the age of seven and was a celebrated performer by the time he was fourteen. In 1866 he entered the Leipzig Conservatory, where he studied piano and composition. At Leipzig he was taught by Carl Reinecke, Hans Richter, Moritz Hauptmann, Wenzel Moscheles, and Ignaz Moscheles. Vogrich completed his studies at the Conservatory in 1869.
After finishing his studies, Vogrich embarked on a professional career as a touring pianist and composer. From 1870 to 1878 he undertook concert tours throughout continental Europe, South America, and the United States, performing as a pianist and also presenting his own compositions. He subsequently toured as accompanist with the violinist August Wilhelmj. In 1882 he traveled to Australia, where he continued concertizing and also taught music; he remained active there until 1886. After his period in Australia he relocated to New York City. There Vogrich was financially supported by the widow of the sugar industrialist Theodore Havemeyer, which allowed him to devote himself entirely to composition. During this time he also worked as an adviser for the publishing house Schirmer. In 1902 Vogrich returned to Europe and lived first in Weimar and later in London, before returning to New York in 1914 following the outbreak of World War I. Max Vogrich died on 10 June 1916 in New York City (USA).

His works include the operas Vanda, King Arthur, and Der Buddha, all to his own librettos; incidental music for Wildenbruch’s Die Lieder des Euripides; the dramatic scene The Highland Widow; the oratorio The Captivity; the cantatas The Diver and The Young King and the Shepherdess; and a Missa Solemnis. His orchestral works comprise two symphonies, an Andante and Intermezzo for violin and orchestra, a piano concerto, Memento Mori for violin and orchestra, and the violin concerto E pur si muove, in addition to numerous works for piano, violin and piano, as well as songs and choruses.