author
Paul Bekker
1882–1937
A sharp, influential voice in early 20th-century music writing, he helped readers hear modern music in a new way. His work linked criticism, history, and performance with unusual clarity and energy.
1 Audiobook
Deutsches Leben der Gegenwart
by Paul Bekker, Goetz A. (Goetz Antony) Briefs, Max Scheler, Arnold Sommerfeld
About the author
Born in Berlin in 1882, Paul Bekker was a German music critic, author, and musician who became one of the most influential music writers of his time. Before turning fully to criticism, he worked as a violinist and conductor, experience that gave his writing a practical musician's insight as well as a critic's broader view.
Bekker is especially remembered for his work as chief music critic for the Frankfurter Zeitung from 1911 to 1923, where he wrote about both the classical repertoire and the newest developments in music. He was an important champion of major composers including Gustav Mahler, and his books and essays helped shape serious discussion of opera, symphonic music, and modern musical culture.
After leaving Germany, he later wrote for the New Yorker Staats-Zeitung in the 1930s. He died in New York in 1937. His reputation endures as that of a writer who brought deep knowledge, strong conviction, and a lively style to the musical life of his era.