Max Bruch

composer

Born: 1838, Cologne, Germany
Died: 1920, Berlin, Germany

"Melody is the soul of music."

Bruch's mother was a singer, and he began to compose at an early age. He wrote numerous choral works that were popular throughout Germany during his lifetime, as well as three operas and three symphonies. It was his nine pieces for violin and orchestra, however - and his friendship with violinists such as David, Joachim, and Sarasate - that brought him international success. A conservative musician, he relied on folk music for inspiration and melodic guidance in works such as the Scottish Fantasy and the Songs and Dances on Russian and Swedish Folk Melodies for violin and orchestra, or Kol Nidrei for cello and orchestra. He was also a teacher whose pupils included Respighi and Vaughan Williams.