Schmidt, Franz (1874–1939)

Austrian cellist, pianist, and composer. As a composer he was largely unaffected by the innovations of his contemporaries. The Intermezzo from Notre Dame, the 4th symphony, and the biblical oratorio Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln are his most representative pieces.

He studied at the Vienna Conservatory and in 1896 became a cellist in the Hofoper orchestra, with Mahler as conductor from 1897. He left in 1910 to become piano professor at the Vienna Music Academy, of which he became director in 1925. He also appeared as a concert pianist.

Works Opera two operas Notre-Dame (after Hugo, 1914) and Fredigundis (1922).

Oratorio Das Buch mit sieben Siegeln (1938).

Orchestral four symphonies (1899, 1913, 1928, 1933); chaconne; Variations on a Hussar's Song for orchestra; variations on a theme by Beethoven for piano and orchestra.

Chamber and solo string quartet (1925); piano quintet; two clarinet quintets (1932, 1938); seven organ works.