| Information: |
(http://albinfries.com/vita.html#English_version)
Albin Fries was born in Steyr, Upper Austria. After studying in Vienna with the internationally known pianist Alexander Jenner, he began his career as a concert pianist performing in such prestigious concert halls as the Musikverein (Golden Hall) with Tschaikovski's 2nd Concerto under the baton of Franz Welser-Möst. Albin Fries was also drawn to composing and began winning acclaim for his works. In 1977 he won the "Young Composers Award" of Austria and in 1981 he was awarded the Upper Austrian "Talent Sponsorship Prize". His Piano Sonata was his first professional success. being broadcast many times on national Austrian Radio as well as being performed at the Musikverein. This exposure attracted the attention of Leonard Bernstein from whom Albin Fries then took private composition lessons. Although at this time Fries had found his own "tonal language", he was enriched with a great deal of valuable musical stimulation from Bernstein
Through Mr. Bernstein, Fries was given the opportunity to study at the Juilliard School of Music, in New York. Upon his return to Austria, Fries gave up his composing when he realized that his music was not fulfilling the Austrian "obligation" of an atonal contempory style. He became music coach and director of studies at the Vienna State Opera and teacher at the University of Music in Vienna.
In the winter of 2005, after a break of 20 years, he was inspired to compose again...a song, as a Valentine's Day present for his wife. This time, he did not try to write in an "intellectual modern" style but rather stayed true to his own style of late romantic tonal music. Suddenly the channel for his creative tonal compositions was once again opened. He has continued to write for voice, instruments and piano. His most recent CD "Jahreszeiten" (the Four Seasons), has been awarded the St. Stephans Cathedral Radio Award in Vienna. An actual list of recordings can be found here. |