Imre Kalman: biography, videos, interesting facts, creativity.

Imre Kalman

He was called the "King of the operetta" and "Emperor of Vienna". They said during his lifetime that he belongs to the whole world. D.D. Shostakovich called this composer a genius, and his friends called him a "sullen bear." A melancholic and pessimist, a modest person who couldn’t have fun, but created almost two dozen works filled with joy, love and kindness, immersing into the world of celebration and triumph of justice. His name, Imre Kalman, is a master, one of the most prominent representatives of the Vienna operetta, who transformed it from entertainment to a genre filled with realism and psychological depth.

A brief biography of Imre Kalman and many interesting facts about the composer can be found on our page.

Short biography of Kalman

Emmerich - this was the name of a boy who was born on October 24, 1882 in the family of the Jewish merchant Karl Koppstein and his wife Paulie Singer, who live in the small resort settlement of Siofok on the shores of the famous Lake Balaton.

Emmerich already at an early age began to show extraordinary musical abilities, but at that time he did not think at all about his musical career. At four years old, the kid dreamed of becoming a tailor, and two years later, when it was time to study at the gymnasium, his childhood wishes turned towards jurisprudence. Parents, trying to diversify their son, in eight years, he sent him to study at once in two schools: ordinary and music. The boy studied very diligently, but enthusiastically doing in all subjects, he still paid special attention to music and spent every free minute at the piano, learning the works of great classics. Even during the holidays, his mother with a curse pulled him away from the tool to sit at the table and feed him.

According to Kalman’s biography, in 1896 the family of Karl Koppstein was forced to move to Budapest due to a severely shaky financial situation. For all, a difficult period began, even young Emmerich, who was in the fifth grade school at that time, had to help his family by earning money by tutoring and writing business letters. Nevertheless, the boy continued to study hard in two schools, delighting his parents with success. The first public performance of the young musician was held in the spring of 1898, the audience at this concert for the first time heard the performance of Imre Kalman. This Hungarian boy name came up with himself, and the whole world subsequently recognized him under this pseudonym. The boy was fifteen years old, but he was so small and skinny that the next day journalists in the metropolitan newspapers praised the wonderful performance of a twelve year old prodigy. Imre really cherished the dream of a pianist career in those years, but, unfortunately, she failed to materialize. Firstly, Imre's parents linked the future of the young man with a legal right, and secondly, soon due to progressive arthritis he had to say goodbye to the instrument.

After graduating from the gymnasium, Kalman was forced by his father to enter the university at the Faculty of Law, but a year later, not wanting to be separated from the music, he secretly passed the exams from his parents and entered the Academy of Music. After studying at the university, Imre did not become a lawyer, he decided to connect his life with music. The father was categorically against such a decision of his son, but Imre stood his ground. As a result, the young man had to leave the family and earn a living. He tried his hand as a music critic in one of the metropolitan newspapers, and besides that he composed music for merry couplets for cabaret.

Carier start. First success

In 2004, the successful debut of Imre Kalman as a composer took place at the Hungarian Opera Theater. At the concert of the graduate course of the Academy of Music, his poems "Saturnalia", a work for a symphony orchestra, were first performed. After completing his studies, Kalman continued to work as a music critic in the newspaper’s editorial office, and devoted all his free time to composition and soon received the Robert Volkmann Award, awarded by the Budapest Academy of Music, for the chamber-vocal cycle. This reward allowed Imre to spend several weeks in Germany, where he, taking advantage of such a good opportunity, turned to all known German music publishers, offering his compositions, but, unfortunately, was refused everywhere.

Frustrated by the fact that nobody needs his works, Kalman returned to Budapest. There was no limit to the indignation of the young composer: no one needs his serious works, but the frivolous music that he composed for restaurants was popular. Imre began to think about the composition of the operetta from annoyance, but always in anger he drove away this thought from himself: how is he, a worthy student of the outstanding Kösler, going down to such a frivolous genre. Perhaps it was at such moments that the birth of the legendary author of operettas took place, especially since the difficult life circumstances were such that Kalman had to make an important decision. And in 1908, he still wrote his first operetta "Autumn Maneuvers". The success of the premiere was so overwhelming that it was called a celebration of victory, but the most flattering was that the whole city was singing the new performance the next morning. After showing in Budapest, the operetta was also enthusiastically met in Vienna, London, Berlin, Hamburg, Stockholm, reached Russia, and then crossed the ocean in triumph.

In the zenith of fame

Since 1909, Kalman’s life has been associated with Vienna. At first, he often came here because of the performances of his performances, and then, meeting there his first love, Paulo Dvořák, settled in the Austrian capital for many years. Imre at this time and worked hard. One after another, sparkling musical comedies, which paraded so triumphantly around the world, came out from under his pen that even World War I could not prevent them. The melodies of the “Queen of Chardash” - the operetta, which brought its author truly world fame, sang on both sides of the front.

However, during this period of life, fate prepared Kalman for blow after blow: first the news of his father’s serious illness came, which did not leave the slightest chance for recovery, and then Imre was deeply shocked by the untimely death of his beloved older brother Bela. Kalman fell into depression, from which his beloved Paula and, of course, hard work helped him find it. Only when the composer created his incendiary melodies, did he forget about all the sorrows in the world. During this period, Imre composed one work after another, excerpts from which became hits and sang in different parts of the world. All the operetta of the composer were imbued with love, but even he himself loved his relatives and friends very much, and they left one by one. In 1924, his father died, and in February 1928, after a long and serious illness, Paula died - his love, wife and friend.

However, six months later another woman, Vera Makinskaya, entered the life of the composer, who was at the peak of her fame at that time. The Russian émigré charmed Imre so much that soon, namely in 1930, their wedding took place. During this period of his life, Kalman was unusually happy: he had a beloved wife who later presented the composer with three children. However, on the threshold again there was a big trouble. The sky of Europe in the mid-thirties began to tighten the "dark clouds", and in March 1938, Austria was annexed to Germany. Imre's quiet life ended, after five days he was urgently called to the Imperial Chancellery, where he was humiliatingly reminded that his father was Jewish, but since the Reich Chancellor appreciates Kalman’s musical merit, despite his origin, he was granted honorary status Aryan and allowed to live in Austria. The indignant composer, who took this as an insult, recalled that, first of all, he was Hungarian and proudly refused such “mercy”.

Emigration

Imre understood that the Germans would not forgive him for such arrogance, so he decided to urgently leave Vienna with his family. At first they went to Zurich, Switzerland, and then moved to Paris. But even there it was dangerous to stay, as the Germans were rapidly approaching the French capital, and in 1940 there was nothing left for Kalman how to hastily emigrate to the United States. Such changes in life became a severe test for the composer: he had to start everything from the beginning, right up to the study of the English language. Based in America, Imre very hoped that the film company, which had bought the rights to film some of his operettas, would also make orders for film music. However, the composer’s hopes were in vain: no one was going to shoot films based on his works, and nobody wanted Kalman’s music in America. Imre was disappointed, but did not give up. By nature, he was a good businessman and knew how to invest money, and soon he was still offered a concert tour across the country, and forgotten melodies from Kalman's operettas began to become fashionable again. In addition, after a long creative break, namely in 1945, he decided to write a new musical comedy "Marinka".

Living in America, Imre constantly watched the events taking place in Europe, especially in his beloved Hungary. When he learned of the deaths of both of his sisters in a concentration camp, he suffered a heart attack, and in the winter of 1948, having moved away a little from his illness, Kalman decided to return to Europe. At the insistence of his wife, the family settled in Paris, as there lived a large Russian diaspora. First of all, in 1949, Imre visited Vienna, where he visited the grave of F. Legard, and after a while, returning to Paris, he suffered a stroke, and then another heart attack. Despite the difficult state of health, Kalman continued to work and the final note in his last operetta, The Arizona Lady, wrote the day before his death, October 30, 1953.

Interesting facts about Kalman

• Kalman never danced, but once at the ball, he still did not dare to deny the charming lady who invited him to the waltz. As a result, the composer paid dearly for this "careless" act for him: having made several movements, he got confused in the partner's train and fell. Under the loud laughter of those present, Imre left the hall in disgrace, but after that he decided for himself that all the heroes of his operetta, regardless of age, must necessarily dance. Since then, in addition to vocal parts, the performers of his performances also had to learn dance numbers.

• Imre Kalman had a very interesting habit: if the premiere performance went well, he didn’t go straight to the audience to bow, and, huddled in an artistic dressing room, he wrote columns of figures on the cuff of his shirt, counting the proceeds from the performance.
• Once the composer, attending a circus performance, saw one number, was very intrigued. An acrobat acted in the arena with a mask on his face. Kalman went behind the scenes, because he really wanted to get acquainted with the mysterious artist. Having managed to talk to a circus performer, Imre learned that he was a descendant of a noble family from Russia who, after the revolution, had to emigrate to Vienna and in the same way earn a living. In order not to be recognized, the aristocrat was forced to hide his face. Impressed by the artist's story, the composer decided to use this story for the plot of his new operetta. This is how "Circus Princess" appeared.
• From Kalman’s biography, we learn that when Imre met Paula Dvorak, a dachshund lived in the apartment of his beloved woman, to whom the mistress treated with great tenderness. Ever since, no matter where the composer lived, there were always dogs in his house, and always only one breed - a dachshund. Kalman did not bother with his nicknames and always called his animals with the names of the main characters of their operettas: Shari, Silva, Maritsa, Marinka.
• Imre Kalman is treated with great reverence throughout the world. Monuments to him were installed in the birthplace of the composer in Siofok, as well as near the Operetta Theater in Budapest. In addition, the memorial room I. Kalman opened in the National Library of Austria, and astrologers perpetuated his name in the name of the asteroid.

• Imre Kalman was a very superstitious man who believed in many signs. He considered a leap year happy for himself, did not like the thirteenth number and black cats, was afraid to postpone the date of the premiere, kept the pencils with which he wrote scores.
• In 1934, Imre Kalman was awarded the French Order of the Legion of Honor for his significant contribution to the art of music.
• Hitler really liked Kalman's music, but after the composer, in a bold manner, refused the favorable offer to become a true Aryan, he signed a verdict for himself. Furious Reichsführer banned the production of Kalman's operettas in all theaters located in the territories controlled by Germany.
• According to Kalman, his last work "The Arizona Lady" was to become the first radio operetta. Moreover, the composer masterfully wrote not only music, but also the text, which made the performance vivid and interesting.
• After the composer's death in memory of him, his wife, Vera, established the Kalman Foundation, whose main task was to provide material support to young talented musicians all over the world.
• Kalman was very fond of Vienna and bequeathed to bury himself in this particular city. His grave is located near the graves of great composers: L.V. Beethoven, I. Brahms and I. Strauss.

• Imre Kalman had three children: son Charlie, and also two daughters Lily and Ivonka. Charlie inherited his father’s musical abilities and also became a composer. He worked in various genres, ranging from serious symphonic works and ending with pop songs. Kalman's daughter, Lily, was also a very talented person and even helped her brother create musicals, which were then successfully staged in Europe. Subsequently, fascinated by painting, she became an artist - illustrator.

Creativity Imre Kalman

Imre Kalman left a rich artistic heritage for his descendants, which is now very popular. This can be explained, first of all, by the generally recognized advantages of his music: bright melody and brilliant orchestration. According to the composer himself, he studied art all his life from the works of P.I. Tchaikovsky, who was considered his main idol. Imre Kalman created the first musical creations in his student years and, despite the fact that the whole world later recognized him as an unsurpassed master of the operetta, the composer tried himself in a variety of musical genres at the beginning of his creative career. These were works of symphonic, piano and vocal music. Among the writings of the composer of that period, it is worth noting the vocal cycle to poems by Ludwig Jakubowski, scherzo for string orchestra, poems for the large symphony orchestra "Saturnalia", as well as "Endre and Johann". He then wrote several musical numbers for the patriotic play "Legacy of the Crossing."

And then it happened that Kalman himself did not understand how he was drawn into the genre to which he treated with disdain. It all started with an unexpected order from a single publisher who offered to write a funny song for a newly opened cabaret for a good reward. At first, Imre was even offended - he is the author of serious works and suddenly some sort of smash hit, but he nevertheless quickly wrote a song and carried it to the editor. The cabaret opened, the song was performed and about a miracle, it was then sung everywhere, and the nameless melody author became a very popular composer in the Hungarian capital. Kalman was surprised and even regretted that he had concealed his authorship, however, he soon composed another similar composition, releasing it under his own name, and was not mistaken: the second hit surpassed the first one. Imre caught himself thinking that it was a pleasure to compose such cheerful melodies. Encouraged by such ease, he began to write his first operetta "Tatar invasion", which was later renamed "Autumn Maneuvers". After the triumphal premiere of "Invasion" in Budapest, the performance was staged in the Austrian capital, which meant that Imre Kalman was recognized as a master in this genre.

The evolution of creativity Kalman can be divided into three periods. The first stage, which is characterized by the formation of the original style of the composer, includes such works as “Soldier on Vacation”, “Little King” and “Gypsy - Premier”. The second stage, marked by the flowering of Kalman’s creativity, begins with “Silva, written in 1915 and completed in 1936 with“ Empress Josefina. ”During this period Imre created his best masterpieces:“ Hollanda ”,“ Bayadere ”,“ Maritza ”,“ Circus Princess ” ", "Герцогиня из Чикаго", "Фиалка Монмартра". Критики в то время отмечали, что оперетты Кальмана - это настоящие симфонические картины. Последний, завершающий этап творчества композитора проходил в эмиграции. Тяжелая разлука с родиной, чужая культура незнакомой страны - всё это не вдохновляло Имре на созда ие новых произведений.Only nine years later he wrote his penultimate operetta “Marinka”, and eight years later he put an end to his work, composed “The Lady of Arizona” - a work, as he said, which is a tribute to the continent that sheltered his family in difficult times.

Three love stories by Imre Kalman

Three women played an important role in the life and work of Imre Kalman. The first is Paula Dvorak, an actress from Salzburg. She was ten years older than Imre and devoted the remaining eighteen years of her life to the composer, creating for him home comfort and instilling in him self-reliance. Imre never experienced such intimacy as with Paula Imre: she was his guardian angel and friend who protected the composer’s talent. At first, Paula herself took care of him: she cooked food, washed, cleaned the apartment and paid all the bills, and later hired all the servants. Kalman persistently persuaded his beloved woman to register a relationship, but Paula refused him, because she could not give the composer children as a result of her illness. The composer was with his beloved until her very last sigh. When Imre was asked if he often remembers Paulo, the composer replied that he never forgets her.

Kalman's second love was silent actress Agnes Esterhazy - a representative of a brilliant aristocratic family. The relationship between the composer and the actress was quite complex. Imre, who grew up in a patriarchal family, really wanted children, and Agnes was quite happy with the role of the mistress of the famous composer. In addition, the career of an actress was in its prime, and she did not want to take a break from her. Agnes was Kalman's muse: it was she who was the prototype of the heroines of all his masterpieces: Silva, Theodora and Maritz. After the break with Agnes, whom Kalman could not forgive adultery, the composer no longer wrote anything special except "Violet of Montmartre".

Kalman’s biography says that Vera Makinskaya, an emigrant from Russia, became Imre's third and last love. They met by chance in a small cafe in 1928, and a year later, when Vera turned 17, got married. The composer’s dream soon came true, and he became the father of three children: a son and two daughters. In the family life of Vera and Kalman, not everything was smooth, a thirty-year difference in age between husband and wife had an effect: Imre was looking for peace, and Vera liked to have fun. It even came to a divorce, the cause of which was a young and rich Frenchman. However, Vera still could not abandon Kalman and her children, until the end of her days she remained the wife of a great composer.

Music by Imre Kalman in the USSR

In the Soviet Union, Kalman's music was especially popular. She morally supported people in the difficult times of the Great Patriotic War. People in besieged Leningrad, who lost their loved ones and were swollen from starvation, went to the theater to listen to the operetta of the great Hungarian composer. And the actors who played in the performances, accomplishing their personal feat, gave people a fairy tale where music reigned, fun and surely had a happy ending. During the war, the task of the Soviet cinema was to produce films that supported the morale of not only the defenders of the Motherland, but also those who helped them in the rear with their heroic work, one of such films was Silva, shot in 1944. Then, in peacetime, “Mr. X” (1958), “Under the Roofs of Montmartre” (1975), again “Silva” (1981), “Circus Princess” (1982) and “Maritza” (1985) were removed. In addition to the operettas of I. Kalman, the Soviet TV viewers enjoyed the great success of the film “The Riddle of Kalman”, which was shot by Hungarian filmmakers in the script of the Soviet writer Y. Nagibin about the life and work of the great Hungarian composer.

Imre Kalman is an outstanding composer who has made a significant contribution to the development of world music culture with his work. Spectacular unforgettable melodies that form the basis of his operettas are very popular nowadays. They are constantly heard from the stages of concert halls and television screens performed by famous opera singers. Kalman's works today are surely included in the repertoire of all musical theaters, but, besides this, a direct descendant of the operetta, a musical, is gaining more and more recognition.