Paul Abraham

Abraham studied at the Budapest Academy of Music. His emphasis in composition was in orchestral and chamber music, and his first recognition came with the performance of a cello concerto by The Budapest PO and a string quartet at the Salzburg Festival in 1922. He took a position at the Budapest Operetta Theatre in 1927 serving as conductor and composer for the company. Later working in Germany, he enjoyed the success of his first complete operetta, Viktoria und ihr Husar into which he incorporated contemporary dance and jazz styles. During his stay in Germany he wrote a score for German cinema, as well as several more operettas. Compelled to leave Germany during of the rise of Hitler, Abraham fled to Vienna where his compositional efforts were not well received. He later went to Cuba where he earned a meager living as a pianist. After another move to New York he suffered a mental breakdown and was committed to a hospital. He returned to Europe in 1956 and spent his last years in Hamburg. ~ Lynn Vought