Alfred Einstein
Alfred Einstein was born in Munich on the 30th of December 1880. He began his academic life studying law at a German university. This path did not last long for him. He quickly realized that music held his true passion instead of legal codes. He switched tracks to pursue a doctorate at Munich University. His research focused on instrumental music from the late Renaissance and early Baroque eras. He wrote specifically about music played on the viola da gamba. This instrument became a central theme in his earliest scholarly work.
The year 1918 marked a turning point when he became the first editor of the Zeitschrift für Musikwissenschaft. Shortly after this appointment, he took a role as music critic for the Münchner Post newspaper. By 1927, he had moved to write criticism for the Berliner Tageblatt. During these years, he maintained friendships with composers like Heinrich Kaspar Schmid in both Munich and Augsburg. The political landscape shifted violently in 1933 following Hitler's rise to power. Einstein left Nazi Germany immediately after this event. He traveled first to London before moving to Italy. He finally arrived in the United States by 1939 to escape persecution.
After arriving in 1939, Einstein secured teaching positions across several American institutions. Smith College offered him one of his first appointments in higher education. Columbia University later employed him to teach music history. Princeton University also hired him during his time in the country. He taught at the University of Michigan and the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut. These roles allowed him to continue his research while supporting himself financially. His career spanned multiple decades within the American academic system until his death on the 13th of February 1952.
Einstein published a definitive revision of the Mozart catalogue in 1936. This work remains a foundational reference for classical music scholarship today. The original Köchel catalogue listed all known works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Einstein updated and expanded this extensive list significantly. It is this specific publication that made him most well known among scholars. The revision demonstrated his deep familiarity with Mozart's output. Critics praised the thoroughness of his cataloging efforts immediately upon release.
He wrote popular histories alongside detailed scholarly monographs throughout his life. A Short History of Music appeared in 1917 as an early example of his writing style. Greatness in Music followed much later in 1941 after he moved to America. The Italian Madrigal was a comprehensive three-volume set published in 1949. This book represented the first detailed study of secular Italian musical forms. Another influential volume titled Mozart: His Character, His Work came out in 1945. These publications established him as a leading figure in music history research.
One source from 1980 lists Alfred as a cousin of the scientist Albert Einstein. Another claim from 1993 states that no relationship has been verified by historians. Some websites suggest they were both descended from a Moyses Einstein seven generations back. They were sixth cousins according to these online genealogical records. In 1991, Alfred's daughter Eva stated that they were not related at all. She noted that Alfred's name does not appear on the Albert Einstein family tree. However, she wrote in 2003 that they were fifth cousins based on new research. They were photographed together in 1947 when Albert received an honorary doctorate from Princeton. At that time, neither man knew they were distantly related.
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Common questions
When was Alfred Einstein born and where did he die?
Alfred Einstein was born in Munich on the 30th of December 1880. He died on the 13th of February 1952 after a career spanning multiple decades within the American academic system.
What major publication made Alfred Einstein most famous among scholars?
Einstein published a definitive revision of the Mozart catalogue in 1936 which remains a foundational reference for classical music scholarship today. This specific publication updated and expanded the original Köchel catalogue listing all known works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart significantly.
Why did Alfred Einstein leave Nazi Germany in 1933?
The political landscape shifted violently in 1933 following Hitler's rise to power so Einstein left Nazi Germany immediately after this event. He traveled first to London before moving to Italy and finally arrived in the United States by 1939 to escape persecution.
Which universities employed Alfred Einstein during his time in America?
Smith College offered him one of his first appointments in higher education while Columbia University later employed him to teach music history. Princeton University also hired him during his time in the country along with the University of Michigan and the Hartt School of Music in Hartford, Connecticut.
Was Alfred Einstein related to Albert Einstein according to family records?
One source from 1980 lists Alfred as a cousin of the scientist Albert Einstein but another claim from 1993 states that no relationship has been verified by historians. In 1991 Alfred's daughter Eva stated that they were not related at all though she wrote in 2003 that they were fifth cousins based on new research.