Rudolf Krzyzanowski (1859-1911).
- Profession: Conductor, composer
- Residences: Cheb (Eger), Vienna, Prague.
- Relation to Mahler: Close friend. Study friend Conservatory of Vienna.
- Correspondence with Mahler: Yes.
- Mother: Theresia Krzyzanowski (1824-1915)
- Born: 05-04-1859 or 1862 Eger (Cheb), Czech Republic.
- Address: House Krzyzanowski (Provaznicka ulice No. 460).
- Address: House Krzyzanowski (Nadrazni ulice No. 542).
- Married: to Ida Doxat (Born: 1867-1939).
- Died: 20-06-1911 Graz, Austria. uraemia
- Buried: Cremated, (address) Berlin, Goethestrasse 21, c/o Eminger.
Studied violin, piano, organ and composition at the Conservatorium in Vienna (1872-1876) together with Gustav Mahler and was member of Professor Krenn’s third year composition class. At the same concert in which Gustav Mahler’s prize-winning Scherzo for piano quintet was played, an Adagio for string sextet by Rudolf Krzyzanowski was performed: it too, was awarded a prize. Also studied at the conservatorium of Prague. Teacher Anton Bruckner (1824-1896).
After leaving the Conservatorium, he seems to have held a number of conducting appointments, the most of which were in Prague where he succeeded Karl Muck (1859-1940) as first conductor from 1892-1895 and Weimar where he was Hofkapellmeister from 1898-1907. Mahler’s early friendship with the Krzyzanowski brothers was warm and intimate.
He had interests and ambitions in common with Rudolf, and his holiday plans on occasions included both brothers. His correspondence for some years makes frequent reference to Rudolf’s career and he was always ready to advise, or use his influence on his friends’ behalf, where such was required. He suggested to his agent, for instance, that Rudolf should fill his post at Kassel when he moved on to Leipzig. Until the 1890’s, at least, his letters show that he kept in touch with these companions of his youth.
Rudolf Krzyzanowski (1859-1911)
At one stage, Heinrich wrote to Mahler suggesting an operatic project, but it appears that nothing came of the idea. Together Alpine walking. Worked as Kapellmeister in Halle an der Saala, Elberfeld, Munich, Prague and Hamburg. Worked in Hamburg with Gustav Mahler (period 1892-1897). In Weimar (period 1898-1907) in 11-1899 he performed Gustav Mahler’s Die Drei Pintos. Rudolf Krzyzanowski worked with Mahler in preparing the piano-duet version of Bruckner’s Symphony No. 3.
Rudolf Krzyzanowski and Gustav Mahler gave a concert in Hotel Czap (Zizkova street Nos. 15/1696, Sct. Johann’s Platz No. 50/51), Jihlava on 12-09-1876. See Year 1876.
The date of Krzyzanowski’s birth is uncertain. He died in 1911 only a few weeks after Gustav Mahler.
His brother is Heinrich Krzyzanowski (1855-1933).
Both two brothers were close friends of Hans Rott (1858-1884) and Gustav Mahler.
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Krzyzanowski studierte seit 1872 am Wiener Konservatorium Geige, Orgel, Klavier und Komposition. Er zählte dort gemeinsam mit Friedrich Löhr, Hans Rott und Hugo Wolf zum engen Freundeskreis Gustav Mahlers, der 1875 bis 1878 in Wien studierte. Gemeinsam mit Mahler wurde er mit der Erstellung des Klavierauszuges von Anton Bruckners 3. Sinfonie beauftragt. Mahler setzte sich auch später für Krzyzanowski ein, der (nach Stationen u.a. in Laibach, Hannover und Halle und Prag) auf seine Empfehlung hin 1896/97 die Stelle des Zweiten Kapellmeisters am Hamburger Stadttheater – neben Gustav Mahler – innehatte. Allerdings kam es dort zum Zerwürfnis.
Seit 1898 wirkte Krzyzanowski als Erster Kapellmeister der Weimarer Hofkapelle. Mit dem ebenfalls dort tätigen Kapellmeister Peter Raabe kam es zu Rangfolge-Streitigkeiten, die 1907 zur Entlassung Krzyzanowskis führten. Vor Gericht zunächst abgewiesen, bekam er 1910 Recht. Einer möglichen Wiedereinstellung kam sein plötzlicher Tod als Folge einer Operation zuvor.
Krzyzanowski war mit der Sängerin Ida Doxat (* 1867) verheiratet. Sein älterer Bruder Heinrich Krzyzanowski (1855–1933) war Schriftsteller.
Von Krzyzanowskis wenigen erhaltenen Kompositionen sind beim Verlag Ries & Erler fünf Lieder für Gesang und Klavier publiziert.
Symphonisches Praeludium in c minor (Bruckner of Mahler)