Graener, Paul (1872–1944)

German composer. His lieder (songs) and operas were popular in the 1920s, and he was one of a large number of composers who were successful during the Third Reich.

He was a choirboy in Berlin Cathedral and at the age of 16 entered the Veit Conservatory, but soon began to teach himself, and led a wandering life, conducting at various theatres and composing a number of immature works. He was in London, England, 1896–1908 as a teacher at the Royal Academy of Music and conductor at the Haymarket Theatre. He was then appointed director of the New Conservatory in Vienna, Austria, and in 1910 became director of the Mozarteum at Salzburg. After some years in Munich, Germany, he succeeded Max Reger as professor of composition at the Leipzig Conservatory, but resigned in 1924. In 1930 he became director of the Stern Conservatory in Berlin, and under the Nazi régime was vice-president of the Reichsmusikkammer, being succeeded by Werner Egk in 1941.

Works Opera Don Juans letztes Abenteuer (1914), Der vierjährige Posten (Körner, 1918), Theophano (Byzanz, 1918), Schirin und Gertraude, Hanneles Himmelfahrt (after G Hauptmann, 1927), Das Narrengericht (1931), Friedemann Bach (1931), Der Prinz von Homburg (after Kleist, 1935).

Orchestral symphonies (Schmied Schmerz), Romantic Fantasy, Variations on a Russian folk song, and others.

Chamber six string quartets, three piano trios; sonata and suite for violin and piano, suite for cello and piano.

Other choral works; piano pieces; over 100 songs.