Historical Context

Ernst von Dohnányi was born in Poszony in 1877 and decided for further musical study in Budapest rather than in Vienna, setting an example that was followed by his younger contemporary Béla Bartók. He played a leading part in forming the musical culture of Hungary and Bartók would go on to enhance that even further, although there were difficulties with the régime that replaced the first republican government of the country. Due to his overt opposition to the association of Hungary with National Socialist Germany, he found it necessary to spend his final years in America, dying in New York in 1960.

His Famous Compositions

As a composer Dohnányi was versatile, continuing existing traditions of music, while as a pianist he enjoyed international fame. Although there is much in the music of Dohnányi to give pleasure, he is probably still best known abroad for his Variations on a Nursery Theme which was written for piano and orchestra.

• List of Chamber Works by Dohnányi
• Other Modern Composers

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