Austrian musicians born in 1903
Here are 10 famous musicians from Austria were born in 1903:
Willi Forst
Willi Forst (April 7, 1903 Vienna-August 11, 1980 Vienna) otherwise known as Forst, Willi, Willy Forst, Wilhelm Anton Frohs or W. Forst was an Austrian singer, film director, actor, film producer and screenwriter.
Born Wilhelm Anton Frohs in Vienna, Willi Forst studied at the Vienna Academy of Music and Performing Arts. He began his career as a singer but soon became interested in acting and directing. Forst appeared in many Austrian and German films in the 1920s and 1930s, often playing romantic leads. In 1933, he directed his first film, "Maskerade," which was a huge success and paved the way for a long and illustrious career behind the camera.
Forst produced and directed some of Austria's most popular and successful films, including "Die Fledermaus" (The Bat), "Wiener Blut" (Viennese Blood), and "Ich liebe alle Frauen" (I Love All Women). He also wrote many of his own screenplays and was known for his attention to detail and his ability to direct actors.
Despite his success, Forst's career took a hit after World War II, when he was accused of having collaborated with the Nazi regime. He was eventually cleared of these charges, but his reputation suffered, and he was never able to regain his former level of success.
In addition to his work in film, Forst also continued to perform as a singer and recorded several albums throughout his career. He died in Vienna in 1980 at the age of 77. Today, Willi Forst is remembered as one of Austria's most important and influential filmmakers.
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Rudolf Serkin
Rudolf Serkin (March 28, 1903 Eger-May 8, 1991 Guilford) also known as Serkin, Rudolf was an Austrian pianist. His child is Peter Serkin.
His albums: Reger: Bach Variations / Haydn: Piano Sonata in C major, Schubert: Musical Moments / Schumann: Piano Concerto, , CBS Great Performances, Volume 27: "Trout" Quintet in A major for Piano and Strings, Great Pianists of the 20th Century, Volume 90: Rudolf Serkin, Violinsonaten, Opp. 78, 100 / Horntrio, Op. 40 (violin: Adolf Busch, piano: Rudolf Serkin, horn: Aubrey Brain), CBS Great Performances, Volume 18: Sonatas Moonlight / Pathetique / Appassionata, Rudolf Serkin plays Beethoven: Three Favorite Sonatas, Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor" and BBC Legends: Bach / Reger / Beethoven. Genres related to him: Classical music.
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Johannes Heesters
Johannes Heesters (December 5, 1903 Amersfoort-December 24, 2011 Starnberg) also known as Johan Marius Nicolaas Heesters, Jopie, Herr Jopie, Grandseigneur Heesters, Joe Heesters, Johannes M.N. Heesters, Johan Heesters, Johan Marius Nicolaas Johannes Heesters or Johannes was an Austrian singer and actor. He had two children, Nicole Heesters and Wiesje Heesters.
His discography includes: Johannes Heesters, Platinum Stars, Ich werde 100 Jahre alt, and .
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Maria Reining
Maria Reining (August 7, 1903 Vienna-March 11, 1991 Deggendorf) was an Austrian , .
opera singer, particularly known for her performances in the works of Richard Strauss. She studied at the Vienna Music Academy and made her debut in 1920 at the Vienna Volksoper. Reining went on to perform at prominent opera houses around the world, including the Vienna State Opera, La Scala in Milan, and the Metropolitan Opera in New York. She is known for her portrayal of the role of the Marschallin in the premiere of Strauss's "Der Rosenkavalier" in 1911. Reining was also a celebrated voice teacher and taught at the Salzburg Mozarteum and the Vienna Music Academy.
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Max Schönherr
Max Schönherr (November 23, 1903 Maribor-December 13, 1984) was an Austrian , .
Max Schönherr was an Austrian conductor and composer, best known for his work in television and radio. He began his career as a composer of film scores and operettas, and later moved into conducting. Schönherr became a prominent figure in the Austrian cultural scene in the 1950s and 60s, having conducted the Vienna Symphony Orchestra, the Vienna Philharmonic, and the ORF Symphony Orchestra. He was also a prolific composer, having written music for over 500 films, as well as symphonies, operas, and ballets. Schönherr's most famous work was the score for the film "The Third Man" (1949), which features his memorable musical theme, "The Harry Lime Theme". He was appointed a professor at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna in 1963, and continued to work as a composer and conductor until his death in 1984.
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Greta Keller
Greta Keller (February 8, 1903 Vienna-November 11, 1977 Vienna) otherwise known as Keller, Greta, Margaretha Keller or Greta Keller-Bacon was an Austrian singer and actor.
Her albums: These Foolish Things.
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Walter Jurmann
Walter Jurmann (October 12, 1903 Vienna-June 17, 1971 Budapest) also known as Jurmann, Walter, Walter Jura or Walter Jurman was an Austrian film score composer.
Genres he performed: Film score.
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Walter Reisch
Walter Reisch (May 23, 1903 Vienna-March 28, 1983 Los Angeles) also known as Walter Fleisch was an Austrian film director, screenwriter, writer, lyricist and film producer.
He began his career in the 1920s in Austria, working as a journalist and writing plays. Reisch later moved to Hollywood in 1933, where he worked on numerous films as a screenwriter, including the famous musicals "The Great Waltz" and "The Merry Widow". He also directed several films, such as "All of Me" and "Port Afrique". In addition, Reisch wrote the lyrics for the popular song "The Last Time I Saw Paris" which was composed by Jerome Kern for the film "Lady Be Good". Despite being a successful and prolific writer/director, Reisch is perhaps best remembered for his role in rescuing Jewish refugees during World War II, using his connections in the film industry to secure visas and employment for those in need.
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Anny Ondra
Anny Ondra (May 15, 1903 Tarnów-February 28, 1987 Hollenstedt) also known as Anna Sophie Ondrakova, Any Ondra, A. Ondráková, Anny Ondráková, Anna Ondráková or Anna Sophie Ondráková was an Austrian actor and film producer.
Anny Ondra began her acting career in Germany in the early 1920s and quickly rose to fame for her captivating performance in the film "Man by the Wayside" (1923). She went on to star in numerous silent films, including "The Woman Who Did" (1925) and "The Loves of Madame Dubarry" (1927).
In the late 1920s, Ondra moved to England and continued her successful acting career there. She appeared in several notable films, including "The Ring" (1927) and "Blackmail" (1929), which is considered to be the first British sound film. However, her heavy accent and difficulty with the English language limited her opportunities in the talkies era.
After retiring from acting in the 1930s, Ondra became a film producer and helped produce several successful films. She also returned to Austria during this time and worked as a dubbing artist, lending her voice to foreign films for Austrian audiences.
Anny Ondra's legacy in cinema is significant, as she helped pave the way for European actors and actresses to break into the British and American film industries. She will always be remembered as a talented performer and influential figure in the early days of cinema.
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Theo Lingen
Theo Lingen (June 10, 1903 Hanover-November 10, 1978 Vienna) also known as Lingen, Theo or Franz Theodor Schmitz was an Austrian actor, film director, screenwriter and musician. He had one child, Ursula Lingen.
His most important albums: Der Theodor im Fussballtor.
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