Marx, Joseph (1882-1964)

Although born into a musical family, his parents opposed to Joseph Marx’s passion for music and wanted their son to become a lawyer. His refusal to embark on a legal career, lead to a complete break with his family. Despite all adversities Marx became a great composer who delighted the audience with his orchestral works.

By his mid-twenties Joseph Marx had composed over 100 songs, and was famous across Austria and later all of Europe. In 1914 he moved from his hometown of Graz to Vienna where he taught at the Music Academy; later he founded a College for Music which he headed himself. During his forty years as headmaster he had taught over 1300 students from all over the word. In 1932/3 he was the first western artist commissioned by Ataturk to reform the Turkish music and concert scene.
With the exception of WW II, during which he was suspended from all his offices, he has been acting as figurehead of tonal music in Austria until his death on 3 September 1964. Besides songs and chamber music, Joseph Marx also composed orchestral and choir works which today are experiencing some kind of renaissance.

Joseph-Marx-Society

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